Frequently Asked Questions at Eastern Oklahoma Orthopedic Center

What is an orthopedic surgeon?

An orthopedic surgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of the musculoskeletal system. This system includes bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and any related painful conditions. At Eastern Oklahoma Orthopedic Center, our physicians are orthopedic surgeons who specialize in the shoulder and elbow, hand and wrist, spine, hip, knee, and foot and ankle.

What is a physician assistant (PA)?

Physician assistants are licensed health care professionals who practice medicine with physician supervision. As part of the physician/PA team, PAs diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries. Their focus is patient care, which may include education, research, and administrative activities. PAs can also write prescriptions.

What does the term “total joint replacement” mean?

Total joint replacement means replacing both sides of the weight-bearing surfaces of the affected joint. In the knee, it means replacing both the thin cartilage surface on the lower joint surface, which is the tibia, and the upper joint surface, which is the femur. The joint surface under the kneecap is also replaced. This requires removing the thin cartilage surface and a thin surface of bone for replacement with an artificial implant. At Eastern Oklahoma Orthopedic Center, our surgeons specialize in reconstruction and replacement of the hip, knee, and shoulder joints.

What is arthroscopic surgery?

Arthroscopic surgery is a modern method of performing surgery inside the joint through very small incisions. The incisions are usually about a quarter of an inch in length with two or three incisions per joint as necessary. A tiny video camera is attached to the end of a long, thin microscope, which is placed through the incision. Other long, thin, frequently modernized instruments are used to perform surgery inside the joints. Knees and shoulders most commonly benefit from arthroscopic surgery, but other joints such as ankles, hips, and wrists may also be done.

What should I bring to my appointment?

• Your insurance card or health coverage information. Please note that many insurance carriers require you to have a referral (authorization from your primary care physician) before treatment is provided by one of our specialists. Please check with your insurance carrier if you have any questions regarding your plan or coverage.
• Referral form required by your health insurance plan.
• List of all medications (both over-the-counter and prescription), including doses and how often taken.
• Any X-rays or MRIs that have been taken for the condition you are experiencing. Please note that the images cannot be older than six months.
• Clinic notes or operative reports from your referring physician that relate to the condition for which you are seeking medical consultation.
• Driver’s license and/or government issued ID.

If you have any other questions prior to your visit, please feel free to contact us at (918) 494-9300 and our staff will be happy to assist you.

What happens if I need my physician after-hours?

Emergencies arise occasionally when our patients need to contact our physicians regarding pain or other symptoms. Our clinic always has physicians “on call” in case of after-hour emergencies. If you need to contact an Eastern Oklahoma Orthopedic Center physician when the clinic is closed (after-hours or on weekends), please call (800) 283-6662 and the on-call physician will contact you.

For nonemergency prescriptions or prescription refills, please contact your pharmacy and they will contact us directly.

How do I request medical records and information?

If you need to request medical records from one of our offices, please be aware that it could take several business days for you to receive your records. We will make every effort to fulfill all medical record requests as quickly as possible. Please contact Eastern Oklahoma Orthopedic Center at (918) 494-9300 to request a copy of your medical records, or if you have any questions regarding your medical records.

What are your office hours?

Our office hours are:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m.  – 5:00 p.m.
Phone: (918) 494-9300