Office Visits
	What should I wear to the office when I come for x-rays?
	X-rays will go directly through your clothes, but they can’t go thru metal. Try to avoid clothing with zippers, and remove keys from your pockets. Sweatpants or something similar is usually best to wear.
	Do you accept out of state patients?
	Absolutely! Please call my office for information on insurance coverage and recommendations for hotel accommodations.
	What should I bring with me to the office?
	Bring your insurance card(s), any reports and/or x-rays from your previous or primary care doctor and a list of medications and questions for the doctor.
	How are hip and knee problems diagnosed?
	Several methods are used to diagnosis hip and knee problems: Medical History: The patient tells the doctor details about symptoms and about any injury, condition, or general health problem that might be causing pain.   Physical Examination: The doctor bends, straightens, rotates, or presses on the hip or knee to feel for injury to determine the limits of movement, and the strength and location of pain. The patient may be asked to stand, walk, or squat to help the doctor assess the hip or knee’s function.   Diagnostic Tests: Used to get a more detailed information regarding anatomy of the joint. The doctor may use one or more tests to determine the nature and severity of the problem.   X-ray (radiography): An x-ray beam is passed through the hip/knee to produce a two-dimensional picture of the bones.   Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan: X-rays lasting a fraction of a second are passed through the hip/knee at different angles, and analyzed by a computer. This produces a series of clear cross-sectional images of the hip/knee tissues on a computer screen. CT scan images show soft tissues such as ligaments or muscles more clearly than conventional x-rays. The computer can combine individual images to give a three-dimensional view of the knee or hip.   Bone Scan (radio nuclide scanning): A very small amount of radioactive material is injected into the patient’s bloodstream and detected by a scanner. This test detects blood flow to the bone and cell activity within the bone and can show abnormalities in these processes that may aid in diagnosis.   Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A powerful magnet aligns hydrogen ions in the bone and soft tissue producing signals of differing intensities depending on the water concentration in the specific tissue. This information is then processed and analyzed by a computer creating a series of cross-sectional images of a specific part of the hip/knee. An MRI is particularly useful for detecting soft tissue damage or disease. Like a CT scan, a computer can produce three-dimensional views of the hip/knee.   Arthroscopy: Your orthopedic surgeon manipulates a small, lighted optic tube (arthroscope) that has been inserted into the joint through a small incision in the knee. Images of the inside of the joint are projected onto a television screen. While the arthroscope is inside the knee joint, removal of loose pieces of bone or cartilage or the repair of torn ligaments and menisci is also possible.   Biopsy: The doctor removes tissue to examine under a microscope. It is usually sent to the lab for further testing of bacteria.
	What insurance plans do you accept?
	Dr. LaButti accepts most insurance plans. For a complete listing, please visit www.csosortho.com.