Choosing an orthopedic second opinion in LA, Long Beach, or Santa Monica

Decide what you want another opinion to clarify

A second opinion is most useful when you can state the decision in front of you. Perhaps you have been offered surgery, two clinicians have explained the problem differently, or an initial plan has not helped enough. Write that question in one sentence. Bring the earlier recommendation rather than asking the next physician to guess what was proposed. Another opinion may confirm the first plan, refine it, or offer a different direction; useful clarity does not depend on receiving a different answer.

Match the expertise to the body area and decision

AAOS notes that orthopedic surgeons can provide a second opinion on diagnosis or a treatment recommendation and that many focus on particular areas. Ask whether the clinician regularly evaluates the condition or procedure being discussed, including care after previous treatment when relevant. A hip-preservation question differs from a joint-replacement question, and a hand nerve problem differs from a spine problem. If the diagnosis is uncertain, describe the symptoms and existing recommendations to the scheduling team so they can help route the appointment.

Sources: AAOS OrthoInfo: What Is an Orthopaedic Surgeon?

Arrange the records before the consultation

Ask what the reviewing clinician needs: prior visit notes, images and reports, earlier operative notes, injection details, or therapy progress. Confirm whether the images themselves arrived, not just the report. HealthIT.gov recommends specifying the information, format, and delivery destination when requesting records. Keep a brief timeline of symptoms, treatment, and response to make the sequence easy to follow. If an item will be late, tell the office in advance and ask whether it is essential for that appointment.

Sources: HealthIT.gov: Get It, Check It, Use It — Get your health record

Choose an appointment location you can keep using

For a visit in Los Angeles, Long Beach, or Santa Monica, consider the route from your home or work, parking, mobility access, and how you would return for follow-up if you choose treatment. Our directory lists the locations associated with each Commons Clinic clinician. Confirm the physician’s current appointment location with the office, since a clinic address and a surgical facility are different arrangements. Ask whether records can be reviewed in advance and whether an in-person assessment is needed for the question you are bringing.

Compare the reasons behind the recommendations

Ask each clinician to explain the diagnosis, the purpose of treatment, the alternatives, and what would happen if you wait. The American College of Surgeons recommends discussing personal risks, recovery, and the reason an operation is proposed. If two opinions differ, ask what finding or assumption accounts for the difference. A recommendation for surgery and one for another treatment trial may reflect different judgments about the same information. Request the reasoning in writing so you can review it without relying on memory.

Sources: American College of Surgeons: Questions to Ask before Having an Operation

Leave with a decision process, not another pile of information

At Commons Clinic, our spine, sports, joint, hand, and foot and ankle physicians offer different kinds of expertise. The linked profiles below can help you find an appropriate starting point. Confirm insurance, consultation costs, referral needs, and any deadline for a time-sensitive decision. Ask the treating team whether waiting for another opinion is medically reasonable in your case. After the visit, list what you understand better, which questions remain, and the next conversation needed to make a decision that fits your circumstances.

Define what you want the second opinion to resolve

AMA guidance supports patients seeking another opinion and asks physicians to explain referral findings clearly. Before scheduling in LA, Long Beach, or Santa Monica, write the question you want answered: is the diagnosis convincing, is the proposed procedure appropriate, or are there reasonable alternatives? Ask what type of consultation addresses that question and whether you need an in-person examination. Bring the first recommendation, but also your own goals and concerns. Confirm insurance and record requirements early so the visit can focus on the clinical question.

Sources: Consultation, Referral & Second Opinions — AMA Code of Medical Ethics, Opinion 1.2.3

Send the images as well as the report

RadiologyInfo explains how images and reports can support a second opinion and comparison with earlier studies. Ask the receiving office which format it accepts and how it confirms that files open correctly. A written report, a screenshot, and the complete image study are different items; check what is needed for your consultation. Make a simple inventory with study dates and facilities. After the visit, ask for a summary that sets out where the opinions agree, where they differ, and what information could resolve the difference.

Sources: How to Obtain and Share Your Medical Images

Sources & further reading

• AAOS OrthoInfo: What Is an Orthopaedic Surgeon?
• HealthIT.gov: Get It, Check It, Use It — Get your health record
• American College of Surgeons: Questions to Ask before Having an Operation
• Consultation, Referral & Second Opinions — AMA Code of Medical Ethics, Opinion 1.2.3American Medical Association
• How to Obtain and Share Your Medical ImagesAmerican College of Radiology and Radiological Society of North America · Reviewed August 5, 2024

We use these medical sources to help explain your options and prepare you for a conversation with our team. Our guides feature our own clinicians; patient reviews describe individual experiences.

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