Physical Examination

The physician's physical examination is the standard examination used in medicine. It should be comprehensive and current.

We don't expect medical doctors to know our special terminologies nor do we expect them to give us exact descriptions of orthopedic findings. We do that.

The key issue is detection of things that could surprise us or which could complicate care. Oozing rashes, ring worm, infected teeth, and ear fluid are all important to us. Impetego is very important. In fact, most of the important stuff may well put the brakes on the process.

That's OK. The exam should give us those details that let us know:

1) that there are no acute new issues   and

2) known prior and existing conditions are static and controlled.

You can include exams by other medical doctors as well.

Cleared for Surgery?

It is very important to understand and for your regular physicians to understand that a
History + Physical is NOT a clearance for surgery.

It is up to our anesthesiologists and us to determine final satisfactory status for what is planned. It is convenient and economical for your own physicians to save the trip if obvious things are amiss. Or, to head off potential problems in advance of surgery.

A form which has a name and age and the phrase "cleared for surgery" essentially stops the process cold.

Too young for an EKG? (ECG)

In conditions that are begotten by severe perinatal incident, whatever can damage the brain can also damage the heart. We do not always require cardiograms for children. But children with stormy beginnings ought to have had - at least once - a cardiogram. Those who have had them and which were OK, don't need them again - unless some  new obvious reason dictates.