The Orthopedic Evaluation

You don't have to live with severe joint pain and the functional limitations it causes. There are many treatment options that may help relieve your pain.

While every orthopedic evaluation is different, there are many commonly used tests that an orthopedic surgeon may consider in evaluating a patient's condition. In general, the orthopedic evaluation usually consists of:

A thorough medical history
A physical examination
X-rays
Additional tests, as needed

Your medical history is taken to assist the orthopedic surgeon in evaluating your overall health and the possible causes of your joint pain. In addition, it will help your orthopedic surgeon determine to what degree your joint pain is interfering with your ability to perform everyday activities.

What the physician sees during the physical examination — which includes examination of standing posture, gait analysis (watching how you walk), sitting down, and lying down — helps to confirm (or to rule out) the possible diagnosis. The physical exam will also enable the orthopedic surgeon to evaluate other important aspects of your hips and knees, including:

Size and length
Strength
Range of motion
Swelling
Reflexes
Skin condition

After the physical examination, X-ray evaluation is usually the next step in making the diagnosis. The X-rays help show how much joint damage or deformity exists. An abnormal X-ray may reveal:

Narrowing of the joint space
Cysts in the bone
Spurs on the edge of the bone
Areas of bony thickening called sclerosis
Deformity or incorrect alignment

Occasionally, additional tests may be needed to confirm the diagnosis. Laboratory testing of your blood, urine, or joint fluid can be helpful in identifying specific types of arthritis and in ruling out certain diseases. Specialized X-rays can help confirm that pain isn't being caused by some other medical problem. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or a bone scan may be needed to determine the condition of the bone and soft tissues of the affected joint.

In order to assist the doctor in making a diagnosis, it may be helpful to write down your answers to the following questions before the appointment:

Where and when do I have pain?
How long have I had this pain?
Do I have any redness or swelling around my joints?
What daily tasks are hard to do now?
Did I ever hurt the joint or overuse it?
Does anyone in my family have similar problems?

Of course, even if your doctor determines that joint replacement is a good medical option for you, it is still up to you to make the final decision. The ultimate goal is for you to be as comfortable as possible, and that always means making the best decision for you based on your own individual needs.

Following the orthopedic evaluation, your doctor will review and discuss the results with you. Based on his or her diagnosis, your treatment options may include:

Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Surgical Treatment Options