At the first consultation Dr Freeman will take a thorough history, including the site and the severity of your pain and how it affects your life. He will also ask about other medical conditions which may affect decisions about your treatment.

You will be examined and Dr Freeman will review your x-rays and medications. He will then recommend the best treatment options for you, and discuss the potential benefits, complications and limitations of the treatment.

If you decide that surgery is your best option, then arrangements will be made to prepare for the operation, including booking admission into hospital.

Things to bring to your first consultation:

• Referral from your General Practitioner
• X-rays (old and new). CT, bone or MRI scans
• List of medications you are taking
• Information related to specific medical conditions, eg: Heart disease and bypass surgery, renal transplant etc.

Proceeding with surgery is a significant commitment and you should not feel obliged to proceed with an operation. If you are unsure about whether to proceed with surgery it is recommended you have some time to think about your problem and then have another discussion with Dr Freeman if you wish to obtain additional information to assist your decision.