Everything you need to know to prepare for your first appointment and continued treatment at Precision.
Gather the following items before you arrive to ensure a smooth check-in and productive visit.
Upon arriving at our office, please check in at the front desk. Our staff will verify your insurance information and confirm your demographic details. Please have your insurance card and photo ID ready.
New patients should complete registration and medical history forms in advance through our Patient Portal. If you were unable to complete forms online, please arrive 15–20 minutes before your scheduled appointment time so our staff can assist you.
Returning patients: if your insurance, address, or contact information has changed since your last visit, please let the front desk know at check-in.
Access the Patient Portal →Our team is committed to delivering attentive, personalized care from the moment you walk in.
A clinical team member will bring you back from the waiting area and gather your vital signs and a brief history of your symptoms. Your provider will then discuss with you your symptoms and perform a focused physical examination if needed. Your provider may also review any relevant imaging you may have brought or your provider may order an X-Ray to be performed onsite.
Based on the exam findings, your provider will discuss a diagnosis and walk you through treatment options, which may include conservative management, physical therapy, injections, or surgical intervention. Please feel free to ask questions at any point during your visit.
Your provider may also order additional testing, such as an MRI, blood work, etc., as needed.
Depending on the complexity of your visit and scheduling, you may be seen by one of our board-certified physicians, a nurse practitioner (NP) or a physician assistant (PA), or a care coordinator. All advanced practice providers work directly under physician supervision and are fully trained in orthopedics, sports medicine, or pain management care.
If you have a preference regarding which provider you see, please let our scheduling team know when booking your appointment. We will do our best to accommodate your request.
Our goal is to ensure continuity of care throughout your treatment journey.
When indicated, your physician may order one or more diagnostic tests to better evaluate your condition and guide your treatment plan.
Non-invasive digital imaging used to generate a detailed three-dimensional image of internal structures of the body. You will receive an order and/or referral to a radiology specialist for CT scans.
Non-invasive medical imaging technique used to visualize the internal structure and function of soft tissues, joints, and organs. You will receive an order and/or referral to a radiology specialist for MRIs.
Used to identify bone structures and detect pathology of the skeletal system, including fractures and joint degeneration. Most of our offices are equipped with X-Rays and normally can be done on the same day as your visit.
Electromyography is a technique for evaluating and recording the physiologic properties of muscles and nerves. Many of our offices can perform EMGs, although not on the same day as your visit as many insurance plans require prior authorization for this testing.
Once diagnostic imaging is ordered, schedule your appointment promptly. Bring any previous test results or films with you so your physician can compare them during your visit. Your physician will review and discuss findings with you at your follow-up appointment.
Many orthopedic conditions can be effectively managed without surgery. Your provider will recommend the most appropriate non-surgical treatment for your situation.
Physical and occupational therapy are among the most effective non-surgical treatments available for orthopedic conditions. A customized therapy program can speed your recovery, improve function and range of motion, reduce pain, and strengthen the muscles supporting your injury.
Precision Orthopedics & Sports Medicine has Physical Therapy centers in Laurel, La Plata, and Cumberland, and also offers Occupational Therapy in Cumberland, enabling close coordination between your therapists and your treating physician.
NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) relieve pain, fever, and inflammation without the use of steroids. Common options include both over-the-counter and prescription-strength formulations. Take NSAIDs with food and follow dosing instructions carefully.
Injections, such as Corticosteroids or Hyaluronic Acids, are used to treat pain in joints caused by things like inflammation or arthritis. Injections are typically administered directly at the specific joint and can significantly reduce pain and, in some cases, resolve the condition entirely.
If non-surgical treatments are not sufficient, your physician may recommend a surgical procedure to address your condition.
Surgical procedures are performed at our outpatient surgical facilities — Park Center Surgical Center in Laurel and Charles Regional Surgical Center in La Plata — or at area hospitals when inpatient care is required. Your surgeon will discuss which setting is most appropriate for your procedure.
Prior to any surgical procedure, your physician’s staff will walk you through the preparation process, answer your questions, and provide written pre- and post-operative instructions.
Preparing for Surgery →Before you leave, our office staff will provide you with any follow-up instructions, appointment orders, or referrals discussed during your visit. Our staff may also fit a cast or give you medical equipment, or give you an order for medical equipment. If prescriptions were sent to your pharmacy, please allow time for processing.
Imaging and lab results will be made available through the Patient Portal as soon as they are reviewed by your provider.
If you have questions after your visit, including questions about your diagnosis, medications, or instructions, please contact our office during regular business hours. For non-urgent matters, you may also send a message through the Patient Portal.
To schedule a follow-up appointment, ask our staff while at check out during your visit, call our office, or use the online scheduling options below.
For your follow-up appointments:
Answers to common questions about preparing for your appointment.