FAQs
Do you participate in my insurance network? Will my insurance cover this visit/procedure?
To determine if
At what hospitals do the doctors practice?
All 11
What kind of wait time should I expect for my visit?
While we do our best to maintain a schedule, emergencies do arise. Some specialties are called for emergency situations more often. You will want to ensure you have time to complete your doctor’s paperwork. However, in the case of an emergency, the doctor may be delayed as much as an hour. The receptionists will do their best to let you know at time of check-in if the physician you are seeing is running behind schedule.
What is the best way to care for my cast? Can I get the cast wet?
Please download the Midwest Orthopaedic Center care instructions at this link.
Alternatively, you may choose to visit this link to learn even more.
If I have a problem after office hours, what is the best way to contact my physician?
Can I refer myself to your practice, or do I need to have my primary care physician refer me for an appointment?
It is best to check with your insurance provider on their policy. It is common for HMO plans to require a referral, while other types typically do not.
How long does it take to have an MRI?
The average MRI scan is 45 minutes. It may be less or more depending on the part of the body being scanned.
Do I need to prepare for my MRI?
No, there is no preparation needed. However, you will be asked a series of questions and possibly may need to change into a gown or paper shorts for the MRI scan.
Do I need to bring my x-ray films for my appointment?
If you had your x-ray done at either a Methodist or OSF affiliate, Midwest Orthopaedic Center can pull up any diagnostic (x-ray, MRI, CT, sonogram) exam from our computer system. If your diagnostic exam was done elsewhere, you can bring either a hard copy or a CD. CDs are preferable and usually sufficient for our needs.
Note: In December of 2007,
Rehabilitation related FAQs
What is physical therapy/rehabilitation?
Physical therapists diagnose and manage movement dysfunctions and enhance physical and functional abilities. This can be accomplished through the use of exercise (primarily), hands-on manual treatment such as stretching and loosening of the joints and muscles, and sometimes the use of physical agents such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and heat/ice. Physical therapists aim to restore, maintain, and promote not only optimal physical functioning, but also optimal wellness and fitness and optimal quality of life as it relates to movement and health. Physical therapy rehabilitation is performed exclusively by a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant under state law.
What happens on my first visit to rehabilitation?
The therapist engages in an examination process that includes taking your patient history, conducting a systems review, and performing tests and measurements to identify potential and existing problems; this usually takes between 45 minutes to an hour. After the examination, the results are discussed with you and a plan of care is established based on your goals.
Does my insurance cover rehabilitation?
Insurance companies almost always cover physical therapy rehabilitation; although some companies will only cover a certain number of visits or a certain dollar amount. You should check with your insurance company as to your coverage prior to starting rehabilitation, as limitations of coverage may sometimes apply.
How do I know if I need therapy/rehabilitation or not?
Your consulting physician/surgeon will refer you for physical therapy rehabilitation based on their independent examination. Certain conditions respond well to physical therapy and are often well managed without the need for surgery. Many patients having orthopedic surgery undergo physical therapy afterwards. Physical therapy is a very important component of your care after surgery and your recovery can often be based on how well you do in therapy.
Does rehabilitation work?
There is a large body of evidence showing that physical therapy rehabilitation is very effective for a broad range of orthopaedic conditions. Your referring physician is usually aware of what conditions respond well to physical therapy and how successful physical therapy is for your problem. There are some conditions that are not always responsive to physical therapy, but therapy may often be chosen as a first line of care prior to more invasive treatments, such as injections or surgery.
I’ve been told that rehabilitation/ therapy hurts. Is that true?
Yes and no. The vast majority of physical therapy rehabilitation is pain free, although you may feel muscle fatigue, stretching, or some occasional soreness. Sometimes joints and soft tissues are very tight after surgery. In those instances, it can hurt to move them to stretch them back to their loosened state. While this is sometimes necessary, treatment is never performed beyond your pain tolerance.
How long does each session take?
Usually 45 minutes to an hour.
Can’t I just exercise on my own?
In many situations it is possible to see a therapist and be given exercises that you can do on your own. Sometimes we will recommend that you follow up with your therapist for exercise progressions every few weeks for a short period of time, just to make sure you are getting better and also so we can progress your exercises. In some cases if your problem is complex you may need to have formal physical therapy in the clinic, usually 2-3 times per week. Many patients that have had surgery do need to come in for therapy more frequently.
Do the physician and the therapy professionals communicate with each other?
Yes. The great thing about our facility is that all clinicians are under one roof, so it is very common for physicians and therapists to communicate concerning patient care. All of our medical records are electronic, so both physicians and physical therapists can and will access each other’s records.