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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffAlthough you may initially bring your signs and symptoms to the attention of your family doctor, he or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in disorders of the joints (rheumatologist) or to an orthopedic surgeon.
What you can do
Before your appointment, you may want to prepare a list that answers the following questions:
- Have you ever injured this joint in the past?
- What other medical conditions, if any, do you have?
- Are there health problems that tend to run in your family?
- What types of medications and supplements do you take?
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor will probably ask some of the following questions:
- Where exactly does it hurt?
- Does any particular joint position make the pain better or worse?
- How long have you had this pain?
- Have you ever taken steroids, such as prednisone?
- How much alcohol do you drink?
References
- Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/208746819-6/0/1807/0.html. Accessed Feb. 28, 2012.
- Questions and answers about osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis). National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Osteonecrosis/default.asp. Accessed Feb. 28, 2012.
- Jones LC. Osteonecrosis (avascular necrosis of bone). http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Feb. 28, 2012.
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