What to Ask Orthopedic Doctors NYC - Hand Doctor - Hand and Wrist Pain

Every wrist and hand pain patient wants and deserves to know they have made the best decision possible for their unique medical condition. It’s also likely that the typical hand and wrist pain patient feels overwhelmed by the amount of information being gathered, presented, and interpreted for them by the different medical professionals involved. To help you gain more control and confidence with your diagnosis and treatment decisions, we recommend you ask our Syracuse orthopedic specialists two kinds of questions:

1. Educational questions that increase your understanding of the physical and clinical information, and

2. Provider selection questions that help you compare and select the best hand doctor provider for your condition.

Educational Questions   Explore our Patient Education - Library

1. What is the physician’s process for educating patients on diagnosis and hand doctor treatment options for your symptoms?

   In today’s internet-driven information environment, those that want to learn more about diagnosis and treatment options should expect their physician to support each patient’s learning process as they seek understanding of their condition. All things will be explained by our Syracuse orthopedic specialists. Your physician can help take the confusion out of the information overload by suggesting specific patient-friendly materials for you rather than leaving you to sort and sift through the often confusing and contradictory ideas that come from a variety of sources.

   The SOS Hand + Wrist Center has a process for directing each patient to materials specifically for them. Ask for your personalized patient education Rx.

2. How common is your condition and what information does the physician make available for the most common outcomes for the treatment option(s) being recommended?
   

   Knowing how frequently your wrist and hand pain condition is diagnosed along with the degree and frequency of success for the most common treatment options helps set your expectations. A productive and satisfying relationship with your physician begins by getting on the same page with respect to what is likely or possible for your situation. In addition to what you hear in consultations with your physician, it helps to have the information in a report so you can refer to it on your own and discuss it with others.
   

3. What are the non-surgical treatment options, and which ones have the physician recommended for others in the past?

   Our Syracuse orthopedic specialists choose the best options for each patient. Each physician may have different thoughts and experiences with trying non-surgical treatment options before surgery. Understanding the physician’s perspective on non-surgical options can make a difference in the choices you make for your care.
   

Provider Selection Questions

1. What special training and certifications does the physician have that make him or her uniquely qualified to accurately diagnose and treat your condition?
   

   Physicians and surgeons with specific Board Certifications receive rigorous additional specialized training. Choosing a hand doctor with an additional certification in hand and wrist surgery can be an important qualification especially for the most challenging cases.
   

2. How much experience do they have with the specific procedure you are considering?
   

   All physicians and surgeons have different levels of experience and types of expertise with each procedure. Asking for this information helps you compare your providers based on both their experience and expertise. Experience and expertise are not the same thing, and depending on your situation, these considerations may be a key factor in leading you to the best provider for your unique situation.All orthopedic doctors in NYC physicians and surgeons have different levels of experience and types of expertise with each procedure. Asking for this information helps you compare your providers based on both their experience and expertise. Experience and expertise are not the same thing, and depending on your situation, these considerations may be a key factor in leading you to the best provider for your unique situation.
   

3. Does the provider have complete services for testing, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation?
   

   It’s more than convenient to find a wrist and hand pain provider who can handle all your outpatient needs in one facility – it’s smart. A team of hand doctor professionals all working together on your behalf from start to finish helps avoid the common frustrations associated with the communication and coordination between many different offices. Having one cohesive team saves time, improves communication and collaboration on your behalf.
   

4. What do other patients have to say?

   As a prospective patient of our Syracuse orthopedic specialists, you can learn a lot from what other patients and professionals have to say about their experience with the physician and facility you are considering for your hand and wrist care. Even if they have not specifically provided the name of the physician you may be considering, your family doctor and other specialists who know you best should be consulted regarding their experiences with any provider you may be considering.

5. How is their bedside manner and personality?
   

   Good wrist and hand pain surgeons understand that optimizing outcomes requires more than just doing the procedure. Finding a hand doctor who makes you comfortable, listens to your questions and concerns before and after the procedure without behaving rushed or dismissive is important. When questions or complications arise, it’s your working relationship with the physician that can make the difference between a quick resolution or further complications. In short, our Syracuse orthopedic specialists are the best in the field regarding serving patients in a medical and emotionally-comforting fashion.