Medically Reviewed by Dr Wang Lushun
Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
MBBS (S’pore), MRCS (Edinburgh), MMed (Ortho), FRCS (Ortho) (Edinburgh)
Your first orthopaedic consultation is an opportunity to have a joint, bone, muscle or other musculoskeletal concern properly assessed. While you do not need to know what is causing your symptoms beforehand, bringing relevant information can help your doctor understand your condition and what has already been investigated or treated.
A little preparation can also make it easier to recall important details during your appointment. Here are the key things to have ready for your first consultation.
If you have had imaging or other investigations for the same problem, bring the results with you. These may include:
Where possible, have both the scan images and accompanying reports available. If your scans are stored online, check that you have the necessary access details before your appointment.
Previous investigations can show what has already been assessed and provide context for your current symptoms. Even older scans may be useful for comparison, so you do not necessarily need to decide whether they are still relevant yourself.
If you were referred by another doctor, bring your referral letter or medical memo unless it has already been sent to the clinic.
This may contain information about your symptoms, previous findings, treatment and the reason for referral, giving your doctor additional context before assessing your condition.
If you are unsure whether the clinic has received it, check before your appointment.
Prepare an up-to-date list of the medications you take, including their names, dosages and how often you take them where possible. This should include prescribed medication as well as over-the-counter medicines and supplements you take regularly.
You should also have details of relevant medical and surgical history available, particularly:
If you have relevant discharge summaries, operation records or other medical documents, bring these as well. You do not need to bring your entire medical file—focus on records that may be relevant to the condition being assessed.
Before your appointment, jot down a few details about your symptoms so you do not have to rely entirely on memory during the consultation.
Useful information may include:
These notes do not need to form a detailed symptom diary. A short summary can help you give your doctor a clearer account of how the problem has developed.
If you have already received treatment for the problem, make a short note of what you have tried and whether it helped.
This might include:
Where possible, note approximately when you received the treatment and whether any improvement was temporary or sustained. This gives your specialist a better picture of how the condition has been managed so far, as well as any impact they might have had.
It can be easy to remember a question before your appointment and forget it once the consultation begins. If there are particular concerns you want addressed, prepare a short list on your phone or on paper.
These might relate to your symptoms, previous scan findings, whether further investigations are necessary or the treatment options that may be considered.
You do not need a long list. The aim is simply to make sure you leave the consultation having addressed the questions that matter most to you.
Finally, check your appointment instructions for any administrative documents the clinic has asked you to bring.
Depending on your circumstances, these could include identification, insurance documents, a letter of guarantee or other forms required for registration or billing.
It is also worth thinking about what you will wear. Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing can make it easier for your doctor to examine the affected area. For example, shorts may be practical for a knee or lower-limb problem, while a loose or sleeveless top may be helpful for a shoulder examination.
Having your relevant scans, medical information and notes ready can help you make the most of your first orthopaedic consultation.
At Arete Orthopaedic Centre, patients can seek assessment for musculoskeletal and sports-related conditions. Your consultation will be led by Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Wang Lushun, who will assess your condition and discuss appropriate treatment options based on your needs.
If persistent pain, an injury or reduced mobility is affecting your daily activities, book an appointment for an assessment today.
MBBS (S’pore), MRCS (Edin), MMed (Ortho), FRCS (Ortho) (Edin)
With over 20 years of experience, Dr Wang Lushun is an orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in treating a wide range of sports injuries and musculoskeletal conditions. He has in-depth experience in minimally invasive surgery and advanced robotic surgery. Dr Wang provides orthopaedic care to athletes and everyday individuals throughout their journey to recovery.
