General Advice – September 2021

Try Not to Pre-empt the Consultation

Plaintiffs presenting for medicolegal examinations will have various expectations.  Some think that the whole process may take several hours.  Others will believe that the examiner will hurt them (either by design or accidentally).  Some won’t know what to think.

Not infrequently, patients express surprise than an orthopaedic examination can be accomplished efficiently and without causing any great discomfort.  I am not sure why they think this.  Maybe it is because of prior experience?

In essence though, it is possible to perform a thorough orthopaedic examination efficiently and almost painlessly.  Careful attention to detail, being aware of patients’ reactions and exercising proper professional skill can usually elicit all the necessary findings with a painless process.