There hasn’t been much good to come from the COVID-19 issue a few years ago, but the one bright spot has been the transition to telehealth. In 2019, only slightly more than 15% of Americans used telemedicine, and this number jumped to more than 86% in 2021 thanks to the global pandemic.
What we learned during our scramble to make sure that patients got the care they needed during this trying time was that telemedicine can play an invaluable healthcare role moving forward, which is why we’re pleased to continue this practice today.
For board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. William Schell, who specializes in knee, shoulder, elbow, and ankle issues, telehealth has been a fantastic way to improve the recovery process after orthopedic surgery. Here’s how.
In the days following your orthopedic surgery, we want your focus to be on healing, not on figuring out how to get to our office for a follow-up appointment. Through telemedicine, we can check in with you in the days following your surgery to make sure that everything is going smoothly.
All you need to do is find a quiet spot in your home with a smartphone, laptop, or tablet and we can meet face to face via video chat.
Whether you’re one of the 400,000 people who undergo ACL reconstruction each year in the United States or Dr. Schell worked on a rotator cuff repair in your shoulder, physical therapy (PT) is an important part of recovery.
As you progress through your PT, Dr. Schell can check in via telemedicine appointments to make sure you’re regaining strength and range of motion in your joint. During these virtual visits, we can also make tweaks to your PT and discuss adding activities as you progress.
Any time you have questions about your recovery after orthopedic surgery, we don’t feel that you should wait for an in-person appointment. Simply jot down the questions and then contact us to schedule a telemedicine appointment where, we can answer all your questions and address any concerns you might have.
Another benefit of telehealth is that we can manage your postoperative medications, saving you a visit to our office.
The bottom line is that using telemedicine after orthopedic surgery can make your life a little easier, allowing you to direct your focus where it’s needed most — on your recovery. Of course, we need to see you in person from time to time to get an in-person look, but telemedicine can work for many appointments.
To schedule your telemedicine appointment, please contact us at our New York City office — which is located on Columbus Circle on the Upper West Side — at 646-381-2646. You can also send a message to us by clicking here.
