Independent Orthopedic Evaluations: 2Nd Opinions For Attorneys And Insurance Adjusters

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When it comes to orthopedic injuries, it can be hard to get a consensus on the extent of the injury and the best plan of treatment. If you're an insurance adjuster or attorney working with a client who suffered an orthopedic injury, getting clarity on the best course of action can make a sizable financial difference.

Here are some questions to ask and things to consider when seeking independent orthopedic evaluations.

Surgical Strategies

In many cases, surgery is the most immediate way to address an orthopedic injury. However, not all surgical procedures or plans of actions are equal.

  • Reconstruction: The most extensive and expensive orthopedic surgical operations are reconstructive in nature. Opting for these procedures will also require lengthy post-surgical rehab protocols. If a client is advised to explore reconstructive orthopedic surgery, it's always a good idea to book an appointment with an independent orthopedic evaluation specialist. When you set up this independent medical evaluation, you seek to ensure that reconstructive surgery is necessary because the damage can't be repaired with a less extensive procedure. For instance, ACL tears in younger patients can often be addressed with a mix of rehab and outpatient surgical procedures. The best independent orthopedic evaluation specialists spend time explaining every treatment option to their patients while also describing the normal path to recovery for each surgical option that is available.
  • Non-Surgical: Surgical procedures are almost always the most expensive orthopedic options. In some cases, however, resources can be squandered if the issue persists. Non-surgical options like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and cortisone shots might used to manage pain and inflammation. Having an independent orthopedic evaluation specialist assess the viability of these non-surgical options is often preferable for retired patients who have more time to rehab their orthopedic injuries.

Rehab Protocols

Rehab will be a part of any orthopedic solution. However, not all clients are willing and/or able to maintain a consistent rehab schedule.

  • Occupational Therapy: One alternative to physical therapy (PT) is occupation therapy (OT). The benefit of opting for OT versus PT is that it's targeted to allow patients to get back to work, which is often the primary goal of working-aged patients. If an independent orthopedic evaluation specialist renders a course of treatment that includes OT, the patient's employer might also be required to contribute to paying for the treatments and/or will might be involved with ensuring the patient can make it to their appointments.    

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21 September 2020

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Bones Leaving You in Pain? Find an Orthopedist Here

I'm not one to complain too much when my body hurts. But when I fractured my hip last year, I complained a whole lot. My broken hip kept me from being active in life. I felt completely helpless because I could no longer move freely or get around home without my family's assistance. After spending several months in pain, I saw an orthopedist for care. My orthopedist examined my fractured hip and found an infection in the joint. I underwent surgery to remove the damaged tissue and replace it with an artificial hip joint. Now, I feel so much better. My new hip gives me the freedom to move around again. If you have pain in one of your bones from injury or disease, read my blog. I show you how to find an orthopedist who can help you get back your life. Thanks for reading.