Frequently Asked Questions

What is an orthopedic surgeon?
What is an orthopedic surgery fellowship?
What is a physician assistant (PA)?
What does "total joint replacement" mean?
What is arthroscopic surgery?
What should I bring to my appointment?
What happens if I need my physician after-hours?
How do I request medical records and information?
What are your office hours?
What is Fracture Care?

What is an orthopedic surgeon?

An orthopedic surgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of the musculoskeletal system. This system includes bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and any related painful conditions. At Premier Bone & Joint Centers, our physicians are orthopedic surgeons who specialize in the shoulder and elbow, hand and wrist, spine, hip, knee, and foot and ankle.

What is an orthopedic surgery fellowship?

An orthopedic fellowship is an additional year of in-depth, specialty training in which a physician will specialize in a specific field of interest, such as sports medicine, total joint replacement, or spine surgery. To be considered "fellowship-trained", a surgeon must complete 4 years of medical school, 5 years of an orthopedic residency, and 1 year of specialty training.

What is a physician assistant (PA)?

Physician assistants are licensed health care professionals who practice medicine with physician supervision. As part of the physician/PA team at Premier Bone & Joint Centers, our physician assistants are utilized in the operating room as specialized first assistants.

What does "total joint replacement" mean?

Total joint replacement means replacing both sides of the weight-bearing surfaces of the affected joint. In the knee, it means replacing both the thin cartilage surface on the lower joint surface, which is the tibia, and the upper joint surface, which is the femur. The joint surface under the kneecap is also replaced. This requires removing the thin cartilage surface and a thin surface of bone for replacement with an artificial implant. At Premier Bone & Joint Centers, our surgeons specialize in reconstruction and replacement of the hip, knee, and shoulder joints.

What is arthroscopic surgery?

Arthroscopic surgery is a modern method of performing surgery inside the joint through very small incisions. The incisions are usually about a quarter of an inch in length, with two or three incisions per joint required. A tiny video camera is attached to the end of a long, thin microscope, which is placed through the incision. Other long, thin, frequently modernized instruments are used to perform surgery inside the joints. Knees and shoulders most commonly benefit from arthroscopic surgery, but other joints such as ankles, hips, and wrists may also be done.

What should I bring to my appointment?

Your insurance card or health coverage information. Please note that many insurance carriers require you to have a referral (authorization from your primary care physician) before treatment is provided by one of our specialists. Please check with your insurance carrier if you have any questions regarding your plan or coverage.
Referral form if required by your health insurance plan.
List of all medications (both over-the-counter and prescription), including doses and how often taken.
Any X-rays or MRIs that have been taken for the condition you are experiencing. Please note that the images cannot be older than six months.
Clinic notes or operative reports from your referring physician that relate to the condition for which you are seeking medical consultation.
Driver's license and/or government issued ID.

If you have any other questions prior to your visit, please feel free to contact us at (800) 446-5684 and our staff will be happy to assist you.

What happens if I need my physician after-hours?

Emergencies arise occasionally when our patients need to contact our physicians regarding pain or other symptoms. If this is the case, please call Ivinson Memorial Hospital at (307) 742-2141 and the on-call physician will attempt to resolve the issue.

For non-emergency prescriptions or prescription refills, please contact your pharmacy and they will contact us directly.

How do I request medical records and information?

If you need to request medical records from one of our offices, please be aware that it could take several business days for you to receive your records. We will make every effort to fulfill all medical record requests as quickly as possible. Please contact Premier Bone & Joint Centers at (800) 446-5684 to request a copy of your medical records, or if you have any questions regarding your medical records.

What are your office hours?

Our office hours vary by location. To find a Premier Bone & Joint Centers office near you, please visit our locations page.

What is Fracture Care?

Your doctor at Premier Bone & Joint Centers has determined that you have a fracture, and will be managing your ongoing treatment. Your treatment and care for this fracture will be billed as a "global fracture care" charge. Because you will be charged a "global" fracture care charge, you will not be charged for individual office visits.

For more information on Fracture Care billing