TRIAGE ASSESSMENT AND ACUTE INJURY/FRACTURE CLINIC
Improving Access to Non-Surgical and Surgical Care for Musculoskeletal Concerns
At Access Orthopaedics we are committed to improving the wait times for musculoskeletal care in the public healthcare system. We serve as a central triage for a number of the shoulder and elbow surgeons in the Calgary zone and have a spine assessment program, both of which allow us to assist patients with non-operative management sooner. For those patients requiring surgical consultation, we can ensure they are directed to the best-suited provider for their condition or injury with the necessary diagnostic tests in order to minimize treatment delays.
All assessments with our triage team are covered with a valid Alberta Health Care card.
Timely Access to Care
Expert Multidisciplinary Team
Comprehensive Treatment Plan
Our team are available for in person, virtual and phone consultations to provide timely access to safe and effective care.
What to expect on the first visit
Our services are accessible with a referral from a health care provider with a valid practitioner ID, which includes physicians, physiotherapists and chiropractors. Imaging is not required prior to a referral.
Our team will contact you once a referral is received to book an appointment. Appointments are available with our team in person at our central location on Macleod Trail just south of the Stampede grounds, virtually through our consultation platform or by phone.
Registration paperwork will be sent by email to complete prior to the appointment or can be completed on arrival to the clinic. You will be asked for the following information:
- Any Current or Past Medical Conditions
- Surgeries (Past or Pending)
- Current Medications and Medication Allergies
If you have had imaging completed privately or out of Alberta, please forward the reports to our office prior to your visit.
All assessments with our multidisciplinary team are covered with a valid Alberta Health Care card. However, there may be treatments that are discussed with the patient that are not covered by Alberta Health.
During the initial visit, patients will be assessed by our multidisciplinary team. Our physiotherapists will first ask questions about your injury/condition and your past medical history as well as completing a physical examination. They will then confer with the physician who will review your previous imaging and diagnostic tests for your musculoskeletal condition or injury. The physician will personally see or speak with the patient during the first visit after reviewing their medical history, diagnostic tests and results of the physiotherapist’s physical examination.
Please wear comfortable clothes to allow our team to clearly examine the injured area. For shoulders, this would involve a tank top for women and for all lower leg areas please bring shorts.
Our multidisciplinary team will discuss your diagnosis and will work with you to develop a customized care plan that will best suit your needs. Your treatment plan may include:
- Diagnostic Imaging and Tests
- Physiotherapy
- Injections / Pain Management
- Surgical Referral, if deemed a surgical candidate
- Referral to another Specialty, as applicable
We will arrange for follow up appointments with our team to monitor your progress with the recommended treatment plan.
A period of non-operative treatment focusing on an active exercise program may be recommended and in many cases can help patients recover without surgery. Our in-house physiotherapists have in depth knowledge of a wide range of conditions to provide patients with evidence based and quality care. We have collaborated with a number of providers across Alberta with a similar mindset to ensure patients receive quality and effective care.
DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING
Our experts can help determine what treatment options are best for patients and when further investigations are needed to guide this. We have diagnostic imaging services available on site for convenient and timely access.
PAIN MANAGEMENT
Our team is committed to helping alleviate patient’s pain so that they can focus on their active rehabilitation program, get better sleep and get back to their activities. We have a physiatrist on staff who can assist with pain management as well as offering a comprehensive range of pain management options, including injections and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) in our on site interventional suite.
SURGICAL REFERRAL
For patients who could benefit from surgical intervention, we can ensure they are directed to the best suited provider for their condition in a timely fashion.
Dr. Ian Lo runs his practice at Access Orthopaedics and we collaborate with our affiliated surgeons to provide coordinated care for patients requiring surgical care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before your first visit, please browse these commonly asked questions
During your initial visit, you will be assessed by a multidisciplinary team, including a physiotherapist or physician.
The physician will review your history, notes from your physical examination, tests you have performed, and previous treatments you have undergone. The physician will personally see you during your first visit, following an assessment by the physiotherapist.
After your evaluation, our team will create a treatment plan for you. This plan may include further tests to aid in the diagnosis of your condition. You will have an opportunity to ask questions.
There are many surgical and non-surgical treatment options that may be effective in managing your symptoms. Should you and the treatment team decide that surgery is the best choice for managing your symptoms, we will discuss the risks and benefits of surgery with you, and we will refer you to a surgeon in Calgary.
Please wear comfortable clothes that allow our treatment team to clearly see and examine your affected area. For women, this may be a sports bra or a sleeveless shirt, or shorts, depending on the area of the body.
We ask that you provide information about your injury or condition and general health. You should also prepare a list of any medical problems you may have, the surgeries you have had in the past, and a list of your medications and medication allergies.
If you have access to previous private or out of province imaging, please forward the reports to our office before your visit.
Most importantly, you should prepare a list of questions that you would like to ask during your first visit.
