How Do You Prepare for an Orthopaedic Consultation?
Preparing for an orthopaedic consultation means gathering your symptom history, any previous imaging or test results, a list of current medications, and a few clear questions you want answered. Good preparation helps the consultant assess you more quickly and means the appointment time is spent on the things that matter most to you.
Key takeaways
- Write down your symptom timeline before you go, including when the problem started, what makes it worse, and what you have already tried.
- Bring any previous scans, X-rays, blood tests or referral letters with you.
- Prepare a short list of medications and supplements you take regularly.
- Think of three to five questions you want answered, so nothing is forgotten on the day.
- You do not always need imaging before your first appointment. Many consultants prefer to examine you first.
An orthopaedic consultation is your chance to have a specialist look at a bone, joint or musculoskeletal problem that has not improved. Whether you have been referred by your GP or you are self-referring privately, a little preparation makes a big difference. This guide walks you through what to expect, what to bring, and the questions worth asking. If you are unsure whether you need a specialist at all, read our guide on when to see a specialist.
What happens at a first orthopaedic appointment?
A first orthopaedic appointment usually lasts between 20 and 45 minutes and follows a clear pattern. The consultant will talk through your history, examine the area causing trouble, review any imaging or test results, and then discuss the options.
You will usually be asked to move the affected joint or walk so the consultant can observe how your body functions in real time. Wear clothing that allows easy access to the area. Loose trousers or shorts work well for a knee or hip appointment.
What should you bring to an orthopaedic consultation?
Bringing the right information saves time and helps the consultant build a clearer picture from the start. Here is a practical checklist.
If you have had physiotherapy, injections or other treatments, make a note of what helped and what did not. This information tells the consultant what has already been ruled out and avoids repeating things unnecessarily.
What questions should you ask an orthopaedic surgeon?
The most useful questions are the ones that help you understand your diagnosis, your options, and what happens next. Here are examples worth considering.
- What is the most likely cause of my symptoms? Ask the consultant to explain in plain language.
- Do I need any further tests or imaging? The consultant may want X-rays, an MRI, blood tests or standing whole-body imaging depending on your presentation.
- What are my treatment options? Understand all paths, from conservative management like physiotherapy to surgical options, if relevant.
- What happens if I do nothing? Some conditions are stable and can be monitored. Others progress. It helps to know.
- What are the risks of each option? Every intervention has trade-offs. A good consultant will be open about them.
- How long is recovery likely to take? This affects your work, your daily life and your expectations.
- Should I get a second opinion? A confident surgeon will never discourage you from seeking one.
Write your questions down beforehand. Appointments can feel fast, and it is easy to forget things in the moment. If you can, bring someone with you who can take notes while you listen.
Do you need imaging before an orthopaedic appointment?
Not always. Many consultants prefer to examine you first and then decide what imaging, if any, is needed. Ordering scans before a clinical examination can sometimes lead to findings that look alarming on a report but are actually normal for your age and unrelated to your pain.
That said, there are situations where having imaging ready does speed things up. If your GP has already arranged X-rays, bring them. If you have been living with a long-standing back, hip or knee problem and want a clearer picture of your overall alignment, standing whole-body imaging can be especially useful. Unlike a standard lying-down X-ray, a standing scan captures your skeleton under load, revealing how your posture, pelvis and limbs line up when gravity is acting on them. Learn more about ScanAlign, standing EOS imaging in London.
If you already have imaging and want to understand what your report means, our guide on how EOS scan results are reported explains the process.
A note on MRI. EOS imaging shows bones, joints and whole-body alignment in a standing position. For soft tissue, discs or nerve problems, MRI is usually the better tool. Your consultant will advise which type of imaging is right for your situation.
If your consultant has asked for standing alignment imaging, or you want to arrive with a clear picture of your whole-body posture, you can book imaging to take with you.
What should you do after your orthopaedic consultation?
Leave the appointment with a clear understanding of three things: your working diagnosis, the agreed next steps, and when to follow up. If anything is unclear, ask before you leave. There is no such thing as a silly question when it is your body.
At home, review any notes you or your companion took. If the consultant has recommended further imaging, physiotherapy or a surgical opinion, you will usually receive a letter summarising the plan. Keep this somewhere safe, as it is useful if you see another clinician later.
Shared decision-making means you are an equal partner in the process. If you are unsure about a recommended treatment, it is completely reasonable to take time to think, do your own reading, or seek a second opinion before committing.
Urgent symptoms
If at any point you develop sudden numbness, weakness, or loss of bladder or bowel control, do not wait for a follow-up appointment. Contact your GP, call 111, or go to A&E straight away. These symptoms need urgent medical attention.
Frequently asked questions
Most private orthopaedic consultants will see you without a GP referral. However, some insurers require one for cover. If you are self-paying, you can usually book directly.
A first appointment typically lasts between 20 and 45 minutes. Follow-up appointments are often shorter, around 15 to 20 minutes, as the background work has already been done.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to the affected area. Shorts or loose trousers are ideal for knee and hip problems. You may be asked to change into a gown for a more detailed examination.
Not necessarily. Many consultants prefer to examine you first and then order imaging based on what they find. If you already have scans from a previous investigation, bring them along so nothing needs to be repeated.
Yes, and it is often a good idea. A companion can help take notes, remember details you might miss, and provide support when discussing treatment options.
In the UK, an orthopaedic consultant is a fully trained specialist who has completed higher surgical training. They are qualified surgeons, but "consultant" refers to their seniority and role rather than a separate profession. Not every consultation leads to surgery.
An EOS scan captures your whole body while you stand, showing how your bones and joints align under your own weight. A standard X-ray is usually taken lying down and focuses on a single area, which can miss alignment issues that only appear when standing. EOS also uses about 90% less radiation than a standard X-ray, around ten times less.
Sometimes. If the clinical picture is clear, the consultant may give you a working diagnosis straight away. In other cases, they may need further imaging or tests before confirming what is going on.
If you are unsure about a diagnosis or a recommended treatment, a second opinion is always reasonable. A good consultant will support your decision to seek one. Bring copies of all your results and notes to the second appointment.
Consultation fees vary depending on the consultant, the hospital and the complexity of the appointment. ScanAlign provides diagnostic imaging rather than orthopaedic consultations, so for imaging costs and what is included, please see our FAQs page.
Want to arrive with a clear picture?
A free video consultation with our radiographer can help you understand whether standing alignment imaging would be useful before or after your orthopaedic appointment.
Book a free video consultationWritten by Abbas Dhami (Specialist Diagnostic Radiographer)
Sources
- NHS. "Orthopaedic surgery." Overview of orthopaedic services and what to expect. nhs.uk
- British Orthopaedic Association. "Patient information: preparing for your consultation." boa.ac.uk
- General Medical Council. "Decision making and consent." Guidance on shared decision-making between doctors and patients. gmc-uk.org, 2020.
This page is general information and not a diagnosis.
ScanAlign is the trading name of CoreMed Solutions Ltd and operates under The Harley Street Hospital's CQC licence.