As with all consulting services at Physio Connect, visits to an orthopedic specialist are subsidized under ACC and Physio Connect staff will complete all the paperwork required to get funding for the services you require and are eligible for.
What is orthopedics?
Orthopedics is a branch of medicine that focuses on the care of the musculoskeletal system. This system is made up of muscles and bones, as well as joints, ligaments, and tendons. Be sure to make an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists if you are experiencing any of the following:
- Pain, stiffness, or discomfort that makes daily activities difficult
- Soft tissue injury that hasn’t improved after a few days
- Decreased range of motion
- Instability while walking or standing
- Progressive weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
- Chronic pain (pain that has lasted longer than 12 weeks)
An orthopedic surgeon is a physician who has received extensive training and has become a full-time consultant. During this training, orthopedic surgeons receive special training where they practice to perform specific surgical procedures. At Physio Connect, our specialists adhere to non-surgical procedures that are required after injuries to muscles, bones, joints and/or ligaments.
To ensure that you are in front of the right person to help you, whether it is surgery or a non-surgical opinion, Physio Connect has developed an internal referral process whereby all patients needing specialist examination are referred to a specialist from one of our first line rehabilitation specialists. After your careful assessment, if warranted, your supplier will send a referral to our in-house specialists and your visit will be booked as soon as available for specialist review.
What a specialist/surgeon requires to conduct an assessment:
Our internal specialists require information about you and your injury to ensure that your time is utilized effectively and to ensure that they are able to complete their job properly. This includes
- Your medical history
- Any imaging related to the condition
- Past medical notes
- A referral letter
If you are a Physio Connect patient, we will already have access to this information and will be able to share it with your consulting specialist/orthopaedic surgeon on your behalf. Contact us today at one of our 14 convenient locations across Auckland.
