Understanding your orthopedic diagnosis and plan

Whether you’ve been living with pain or mobility problems for a while or recently experienced an injury, getting the right diagnosis can help you understand what’s happening and what to do next.  

Deryk Jones, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist with Sutter, explains some of the factors orthopedic specialists consider when diagnosing a condition and developing a treatment plan. 

Start with your goals  

Your age can be one factor your orthopedic specialist considers, but it’s only part of the picture. Jones says he may approach two patients of the same age very differently based on their joint and overall health, activity level and goals.

“If I see a 55-year-old who’s running marathons vs. a 55-year-old whose knee has bone on bone findings by X-ray, we’ll look at those cases differently,” he says.

Your overall health, activity level and the things you want to be able to do after treatment all help shape your care plan. Someone hoping to return to competitive sports, for example, may have different goals than someone who wants to move more comfortably during everyday activities. 

Your symptoms provide clues

You can help your orthopedic clinician understand what may be causing your symptoms by describing them as specifically as possible. Be prepared to answer questions such as:

• Where does it hurt? Instead of simply saying your knee hurts, try to identify whether the pain is above, below, behind or on one side of the knee.
• What movements or activities cause symptoms? Does your hip hurt when you climb stairs? Can you reach behind you but not overhead? These details can help your clinician narrow down possible causes and determine what to evaluate next.
• How long have you had symptoms? Knowing whether a problem developed suddenly or gradually can provide important diagnostic information.
• What makes it better or worse? Tell your clinician whether rest, ice, movement, certain positions or medications affect your symptoms.
• What else is going on with your health? Other health conditions, previous injuries and medications can all influence your diagnosis and treatment options. 

What happens during an orthopedic exam

After discussing your symptoms and medical history, your clinician will examine the affected area. Depending on your symptoms, the exam may include:

• Looking for swelling, bruising or visible changes
• Watching how you stand or walk
• Feeling the area for tenderness, swelling or other abnormalities
• Moving a joint to evaluate range of motion, pain and stiffness
• Checking strength, reflexes or sensation

The specific exam will depend on where you’re having symptoms and what condition your clinician suspects. 

Getting an inside view with imaging

A physical exam and your description of your symptoms can provide important information, but imaging tests may sometimes be needed to confirm a diagnosis, rule out other conditions or plan treatment. Common orthopedic imaging tests include:

• X-rays: X-rays provide detailed images of bones and can help identify fractures, dislocations, arthritis and other changes involving bone or joints.
• CT scans: Computed tomography uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. CT can provide more details about complex bone structures and certain injuries than a standard X-ray.
• MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of both bone and soft tissues. It can help evaluate structures such as cartilage, muscles, tendons and ligaments and may be used to diagnose injuries such as meniscus, ligament or rotator cuff tears for example.

Not every orthopedic condition requires imaging. Your clinician will recommend tests based on your symptoms, exam findings and the information needed to make or confirm a diagnosis.