Orthopedics primary care

At Aurora, our primary care doctors are an important link in the chain of quality orthopedic care. Primary care doctors really know their patients and can help guide and advise you if you’re dealing with orthopedic challenges.

Primary care doctors with the right training can often treat minor orthopedic issues themselves, which means less appointments and follow-up for you. They also work closely with orthopedic surgeons before and after surgery to make sure your care is personalized to your specific needs. Some, with additional training in wilderness and sports medicine, work within the orthopedic department, as part of the team.

Additionally, family doctors are a valuable resource for support on incorporating habits that contribute to orthopedic health.

Our primary care: full coverage for your orthopedic health

Our primary care doctors work closely with our orthopedic specialists to offer personalized, comprehensive care.

• Preventive care: Our primary care doctors teach you how to live a healthy life, including how to maintain your orthopedic health and prevent orthopedic problems. If you do need surgery, they also work closely with your orthopedic surgeons to make sure they understand your full medical history. This collaboration means nothing is missed when your care team creates your treatment plan.
• Close coordination between primary care and specialty care: We provide everything you need in a single, fully integrated health system. Our primary care doctors work closely with other departments - orthopedics, sports health, integrative medicine, rheumatology and physical therapy - to meet your unique needs.
• Commitment to long-term care: Our primary care doctors take the long view when it comes to your health and well-being. Recovery goes beyond a specific orthopedic problem – we give you the tools you need to maintain optimal health over the course of your lifetime.

Prevention, diagnosis & treatment: How your Aurora primary care doctor helps protect your health long-term

During your annual checkup, your primary care doctor will check your orthopedic health. Our doctors emphasize prevention of orthopedic problems by:

• Helping you achieve or maintain a healthy weight
• Giving advice about proper nutrition
• Helping you incorporate exercise into your life

Our family doctors begin teaching these healthy habits during childhood and continue to encourage them at every stage of life.

Common problems treated by your family doctor

Some common orthopedic problems that can be treated by your family doctor include:

• Sprains and strains
• Arthritis and arthritic pain
• Acute back strains
• Hip pain
• Shoulder pain
• Knee pain

References to an orthopedic specialist

When a condition is more serious and needs to be referred to an orthopedic surgeon, your primary care doctor can prepare you for the visit.

Your doctor will also share your medical records with your surgeon by using our integrated electronic medical record (EMR) system. That means a more seamless and a more stress-free experience for you.

Primary care before & after orthopedic surgery

At Aurora, your primary care doctor will play an important role before and after orthopedic surgery, by making sure your heart is healthy enough for surgery.

If you are diabetic or have a chronic health condition, your primary care doctor will make sure you get the special care you need. Your doctor will also check in with you after surgery, making sure you’re getting the services that will help in your recovery.

Where primary meets specialty care

Explore your specialty care options at Aurora:

• Orthopedics
• Sports health
• Integrative medicine
• Pain management
• Rehabilitation & therapy services

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