Tidewater Orthopaedics

• We request that you arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled scan to complete paperwork and change clothes, if necessary. • You may eat normally and take your medication as directed by your doctor, including pain medication. • Please wear loose, comfortable clothing without metal such as zippers, hooks, clasps, buckles, snaps, underwire, or bra hooks. • Avoid wearing anything metal such as jewelry, watches, or hair accessories. • For your convenience, we will provide an area for your hearing aid, removable dental work, credit cards, keys, and pocket change. • If you have any metal in your body such as plates, screws, metallic fragments, metal picked from your eyes, or drug infusion pumps, please let the technologist know. • Scans take anywhere from 30 - 60 minutes. Anyone coming with you will need to wait in the main waiting room. No children should come with you to the appointment unless there is someone to watch them.

• You will be greeted by one of the friendly front office staff who will help you fill out your paperwork. They will begin by reviewing the series of questions regarding your medical history. • Once the paperwork is complete, the MRI technologist will prepare you for your exam by instructing you to remove all metal from your belongings. • Next, the technologist will take you to the MRI scan room. The MRI machine is sufficiently large, and the body part being imaged will be in the center of the machine. • The technologist will leave the room, but you will be able to communicate with the technologist at all times. The technologist will view you at all times through a large window; you will never be left alone. • When the MRI scan begins, you will hear a tapping sound that will continue for several minutes. There will be a few pauses in the tapping during the processes. • Do your best to lie as still as possible since any movement will affect the pictures. Any motion may mean you will have to repeat the process. Try to relax; you can even take a nap. • Other than the tapping sounds, you should experience no other sensation. • The scan is usually completed in 30 to 45 minutes, after which the technologist will help you off the table and you may go home and resume your daily activities. • If you do not have a follow up appointment, the technologist will take you to our check out area and one will be made.

Your first appointment will take about an hour to one and a half hours. Your therapist will ask you questions about your symptoms, past medical history, medications, occupation, hobbies, and personal goals you would like to achieve during your time in physical therapy. The therapist will perform tests and take measurements to help set goals and gather information to improve your functional performance. Please wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely. Also, it is better to wear sneakers or tennis shoes. If you have a co-pay, it is due at the time of service and please bring a calendar so you can make follow up appointments.

A certified hand therapist (CHT) can be an occupational or physical therapist who, through advanced study and experience, specializes in treating individuals with conditions affecting the hands and upper extremity. They must have a minimum of 3 years postgraduate experience with at least 4,000 hours in hand therapy and have successfully passed the Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC) exam in order to obtain these credentials. CHTs are dedicated professionals who have a commitment to meet the highest standards of their profession. For additional information on Certified Hand Therapists, contact: www.htcc.org (http://www.htc.org).

The hand therapy department receives its referral base from the hand specialists and other physicians at Tidewater Orthopaedics. Outside referrals from other orthopeadic physicians in the area are also accepted by the hand therapy team. This consists of treatment and rehabilitation of post-surgery, preventive, non-operative and chronic diagnoses. These conditions include, but are not limited to, strains and sprains, burns, fractures, repetitive stress disorders, tendon and ligament injuries, congenital disorders, amputations and arthritis.

If you are an injured worker, Tidewater Orthopaedics’ physicians and staff are here to help. Please contact your employee health or human resources department at your company to report your injury. They will assist you in filing your claim with their insurance carrier. Once your claim is filed, you can reach our workers’ compensation department at 757-637-7011 to schedule an appointment. We will need your demographic information, workers’ comp insurance carrier, claim number, and adjuster’s name and phone number Services Include: • Independent Medical Evaluations • Second Opinions • Work Hardening and Work Conditioning

The word arthritis literally means "joint inflammation." Arthritis refers to a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases and other conditions that cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that damages the lining surrounding our joints while also destroying our bones, tissue, and joints over time. Osteoarthritis is a progressive condition that slowly damages the cartilage surrounding the ends of bones and is common in the hip, knee, or spine.

Bursitis is an inflammation or irritation of a bursa, which is a fluid-filled sac located around a joint. Bursitis causes a reduction in or a loss of motion at the affected joint. Bursitis typically occurs in the heel, hip, knee, shoulder, or thumb.

Tendonitis, medically known as tendinitis, is an inflammation or irritation of a tendon. Chronic strain, overuse or misuse of a tendon leading to a repetitive stress injury, or a serious acute injury can lead to a weakness, tear, or swelling of the tendon tissue, resulting in pain and stiffness near the tendon. Tendonitis usually occurs in the elbow, hip, knee, shoulder, thumb, or wrist, but can occur anywhere there is a tendon.

The general rule of thumb is to use ice in the acute stage of an injury (within the first 24-48 hours), or whenever swelling is showing. Ice helps to reduce inflammation and swelling by decreasing blood flow to the area that is injured. The general guideline is to apply ice indirectly (not directly on the skin) for 20 minutes, remove the ice for at least 20 minutes, and repeat as necessary. Heat is used to increase blood flow, which helps promote pain relief after inflammation and swelling subside. Heat is also used to assist in warming muscles up prior to exercise, any physical activity, or physical therapy.

An orthopaedic doctor, also known as an orthopaedist, is a medical doctor (MD) or a doctor of osteopathy (DO) who specializes in the musculoskeletal system—bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. Orthopaedic surgeons are specialized in the musculoskeletal system; many orthopaedists specialize in certain areas of the body, such as foot and ankle; hand and wrist; or back, neck, and spine. Additionally, orthopaedic doctors may focus on a specific field of orthopaedics, like pediatrics, sports medicine, or trauma.

A physiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in nonsurgical pain management, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and neurological studies.

A primary care sports medicine doctor is an expert in the field of sports medicine. Either through advanced fellowship training or through years of clinical experience, a primary care sports medicine doctor has learned the skills to take care of athletes of all ages, sports, and levels of competition. Primary care sports medicine doctors often serve as team doctors to professional sports teams or are personal doctors to elite level athletes.

Arthroscopic surgery is a surgical procedure that is commonly performed to diagnose and treat problems within the joint. By using high-tech cameras, the orthopaedic surgeon inserts a small instrument, called an arthroscope, into the joint. The arthroscope contains a fiber optic light source and small television camera that allow the surgeon to view the joint on a television monitor and diagnose the problem, determine the extent of injury, and make any necessary repairs.

A computed tomography (CT) scan, also known as CAT scan, produces images that are similar in detail and in quality to an MRI; however, the CT scan takes a 360-degree picture of internal organs and the spine and vertebrae. CT scans provide cross-sectional views of the body and provide clearer imaging than an MRI.

Corticosteroids, more commonly referred to as cortisone, is a steroid that is produced in the body naturally. Synthetically produced cortisone can also be injected into soft tissues and joints to help decrease inflammation. While cortisone is not a pain reliever, pain may diminish as a result of reduced inflammation. In orthopedics, cortisone injections are commonly used as a treatment for chronic conditions such as bursitis, tendonitis (medically referred to as tendinitis), and arthritis to reduce swelling, pain, and joint stiffness.

Joint replacement surgery is a surgical procedure that is performed to replace an arthritic or damaged joint with a new, artificial joint, called a prosthesis. Joint replacements can be performed on every joint in the body, but most commonly performed in the knee, hip, shoulder, and elbow. Joints contain cartilage, a soft, rubbery gel-like coating on the ends of bones, where they articulate, that protects joints and facilitates movement and over time, or if the joint has been injured, the cartilage wears away and the bones of the joint start rubbing together. As the bones rub together, bone spurs may form, and the joint becomes stiff and painful. Most people have joint replacement surgery when they can no longer control the pain with medication and other treatments and the pain is significantly interfering with their lives.

Tidewater Orthopaedics provides two digital X-ray suites, ultrasound, and MRI services to ensure high quality and accurate orthopedic imaging.

Arrive 15 minutes early for paperwork, wear loose clothing without metal, remove all metal belongings, and note that scans take 30-60 minutes. No children should attend unless supervised.

Bring your doctor's order, insurance cards, and any previous X-ray films. Without previous films, your appointment may need to be rescheduled.

Expect a 1 to 1.5 hour session where your therapist will discuss your symptoms, medical history, and goals, perform tests, and set treatment plans. Wear comfortable clothing and bring any co-pay and calendar.

A certified hand therapist is an occupational or physical therapist specialized in treating hand and upper extremity conditions with advanced training and certification.

Report your injury to your employer's health or HR department, file your claim, then contact Tidewater Orthopaedics' workers' compensation department at 757-637-7011 to schedule an appointment with needed claim details.

They accept American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa as payment options.

They are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Same-day appointments are available.

Nearby specialists include Tetyana McCain DDS (dentist), Hampton Roads Orals & Maxillofacial Surgery (oral surgeon), Plastic Surgery Center of Hampton Roads, Hampton Roads ENT Allergy (allergist and audiologist), and Riverside Rheumatology Specialists (physical therapy and hospital).

Yes, there is a UPS Access Point location nearby for shipping and deliveries, and multiple dentists and medical centers in the area for comprehensive healthcare needs.

Nearby organizations include MITRE Corporation and Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute, offering insights into local healthcare and technology sectors for patients interested in the area.