What happens during my initial consultation?

During your consultation we will carefully discuss your history and complaints.  We will review your medical history and current health, define the problem, define what you would like to have made better.  Then we will try to make a diagnosis or a list of possible diagnoses that could explain the current problems.  Very commonly a patient will require further tests.  These may be done in the office or in other locations.  Frequently we will perform Neurosensory Testing in our office to evaluate the function of a particular nerve or set of nerves.  Frequently we will perform nerve blocks to help target problem nerves to see if we can localize the source of a particular problem.  Often patients may be referred for further imaging studies such as MRI or electrophysiologic testing to study the function of the nerves thought to be involved.  If a diagnosis and a plan is generated and a surgical treatment plan is considered, then this is a good time to ask specific questions about the procedure so that you are fully prepared, mentally and emotionally, for surgery.  We will discuss the results that can be achieved, with the aid of anatomic drawings.  When a final decision is made you may choose to schedule a procedure with the staff during the appointment or call back at a later time to do so.