Preparing for your clinic visit

A little preparation helps us make the most of your appointment — so we can understand your problem fully and plan the right next step together.

Bring or think about

• Any imaging you already have (X-rays, MRI), or where it was taken — and your referral, if you have one.
• A list of your current medications, and any allergies.
• A short summary of your symptoms — where it hurts, how long it has lasted, what eases or worsens it, and how it affects your daily life and sleep.
• Treatments you have already tried (physiotherapy, injections, pain medication) and how they helped.
• Your other medical conditions and previous operations.
• Your questions and goals — the activities you would like to get back to.
• Clothing that allows the joint to be examined — for example, bring shorts for a knee or hip.

What happens at the visit

We will talk through your history and symptoms, examine the joint, and review any imaging together. Then we discuss your options clearly — which may or may not include surgery — and agree on the next step that fits your life. There is no pressure to decide on the day.

Good questions to ask

• What is causing my symptoms, and how serious is it?
• What are my options — and what would you recommend for me?
• If I have surgery, what does recovery look like and when could I return to my activities?
• What can I do myself, whether or not I choose surgery?