It’s a joint effort!
We are pleased that you chose Dr Cameron Cooke at BEND Orthopaedics. Here we share a little information about each stage of the process.
Initial Consultation
Telephone us on 1300 236 428 or use this online contact form to arrange a suitable time for an initial appointment with Dr Cameron Cooke at one of our consulting locations – Mater Private Clinic (South Brisbane), Ramsay Place (North West Hospital, Everton Park), Mater Health Centre (Redlands) or Brisbane Medical Specialists (Wellers Hill).
At this appointment, we will require a referral from your general practitioner (or other medical specialist) and any imaging (x-rays, MRI or other scans) that may have already been performed. Dr Cooke will forward correspondence to your referring doctor (and your usual GP, if this is different) after each appointment, so that each member of your overall healthcare team is kept informed and up to date with your progress.
Dr Cooke will seek information from you relating to your orthopaedic condition, your overall health and history and a clinical examination will be performed.
You will also be asked to provide some basic demographic information. If you’d care to complete this before your appointment, please click here to download and print a copy of our patient questionnaire.
From this initial consultation, Dr Cooke may send you for further investigations and a follow-up or review appointment will be booked.
Review Consultation (if required)
Dr Cooke will develop a recommended treatment plan with you that may include non-operative measures, such as anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections, weight loss and/or physiotherapy. Alternatively, surgery may be indicated.
Surgery is recommended
If surgery is recommended, Dr Cooke will thoroughly review the procedure with you, allowing you plenty of opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Our pre-operative team will then determine a surgery date that is suitable to you, ensure all documentation is complete and provide you with an estimate of surgery fees.
Pre-operative planning
An appointment with a Physician may be recommended for patients prior to surgery. We will facilitate this by referring you to a specialist and making an appointment for you. This Physician will review your overall health status and ensure you are fit and ready for surgery. Advice regarding existing medication will also be given. Your physician may see you in their own consultation rooms prior to surgery or may visit you once you have admitted to hospital. They will then monitor your medical progress during your hospital stay.
A member of our team will also provide you with information concerning your hospital stay, anticipated out-of-pocket expenses, instructions for your hospital admission and how to plan for your return home following surgery.
Post-operative consultations
You will be asked to return to see Dr Cooke for post-operative reviews at regular intervals following your discharge from hospital. Follow up x-rays may also be required at various times to check on your joints. These post-operative consultations are often quite quick but it is important for Dr Cooke to re-examine you and monitor your recovery.