Good preparation
Good preparation starts with clarity about what you want to know and what you hope to achieve. Think in advance about which questions you want to ask, and what a good outcome of the consultation would look like for you.
On the website of the Dutch Patients' Federation (Patiëntenfederatie Nederland) you'll find valuable general information and tools to help you prepare for a medical conversation, such as the '3 good questions' — see also the page on shared decision-making.
Gather previous medical information
Are you coming for a second opinion, or have you already seen other specialists? Then it helps enormously if you gather as much previous medical information as possible and bring it to your appointment. The more complete, the better.
Letters to your GP from previous orthopaedic surgeons, sports physicians, pain specialists or other specialists
All X-rays, MRIs and other scans already taken of your hip
Operative reports from previous surgery on your hip
Via Twiin, the Dutch digital exchange system for medical data, you can have your X-rays, MRIs and other scans sent directly to the clinic. This means the images and the corresponding results are available to your orthopaedic surgeon in the right format.
The history-taking: what the orthopaedic surgeon will ask you
The conversation begins with a medical history (anamnesis): focused questions about your symptoms and your health, so that your orthopaedic surgeon gets as complete a picture as possible. You can prepare well for this.
Your symptoms
When did the symptoms start, and was there a clear trigger?
How have the symptoms developed since then, and has anything changed recently?
Where exactly are the symptoms located, and do they radiate — for example, into your leg?
Is the pain constant or intermittent, and is it related to activity?
Is there night pain, stiffness, or start-up pain after sitting or in the morning?
Previous investigations and treatment
What has been done so far, for example by your GP or physiotherapist?
What pain relief have you used, and what effect did it have?
Have you already seen other specialists, and what was the conclusion?
Which investigations — X-rays, MRI, other scans — were done, and when?
Have you had injections in your hip before, and what effect did they have?
Work, sport and home situation
Your work: what kind of work, how many hours, and physically demanding or not?
Your sport: which sports, for how long and how often, and has this changed because of your symptoms?
Your living and home situation, and any support you have
Medical history and medication
Previous operations, including outside your hip
Other known health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or thyroid problems
All medication you take, including contraception, blood thinners and medicines that affect your immune system
Allergies, particularly to medicines, latex, iodine or plasters
Lifestyle
Smoking: yes or no, and how much
Alcohol use: yes or no, and how much
Drug use: yes or no, and how often
Family history, height and weight
Hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, joint inflammation or hip replacements in the family
Your height and weight
Your reason for seeking help
What is your reason for seeking help now?
What do you hope to get from this consultation — insight, advice, surgery, or something else?
Physical examination
After the history-taking comes the physical examination. This mostly takes place lying down; you remove your trousers and shoes, while underwear or, if you prefer, elastic sports shorts may stay on. Your orthopaedic surgeon carries out various tests to assess the mobility of your hip and the source of your symptoms.
Further investigations
X-rays of your hip — an AP pelvis view and a Lauenstein view, plus, if you are over 40, an axial hip view — are always needed, and must not be older than a year. If these haven't yet been taken, or are not available at your appointment, they will still be arranged before the consultation. An MRI arthrogram or a diagnostic injection in the hip may be a next step, if this hasn't already been done. Read more about these investigations on the page about imaging investigations.