Every physician at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery provides their patients with a continuum of care that is customized for their lifestyle. From the initial consultation to post-operative care to rehabilitation, the team at VSON takes the time to build a relationship with their patients, ensuring a personalized approach to their recovery.
Patients working with a specialist at VSON can expect a consistently exceptional experience, with their outcome goals factored into their treatment.
The Patient Experience
Clinic Visit
At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, we are dedicated to delivering prompt, high-quality, and attentive care to our patients.
Please arrive at your appointment 15 minutes early to complete the check-in process. If you are new to VSON, please bring the following:
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Referral (If Required by Insurer)
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Driver's License or State ID
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Insurance Information
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Copies of Medical Records, Operation Records, and Imaging Test Scans from Prior Doctor Visits
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A List of Current Medications and Any Known Allergies
These efficient scheduling practices will ensure that you spend more time with the doctor and their team and less time completing paperwork.
Meeting The Team
At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, all care begins with a conversation. From your first appointment to your last, our physicians and their teams will be with you every step of the way.
Athletic Trainer or Clinical Assistant
The athletic trainers and clinical assistants at VSON care for patients through the entire medical process, starting from the second they make their appointment. This ensures consistency of care and a continuum of treatment. At your first appointment, the physician's athletic trainer or clinical assistant will review your medical history, discuss your current symptoms, and review your outcome goals. They may also perform a brief physical examination and order necessary imaging tests.
Physician’s Assistant
Physician assistants (PAs) work alongside physicians to examine, diagnose, and treat patients. They can perform various duties, such as prescribing medication, ordering diagnostic tests, assessing the patient's progress, and providing patient education. You may not meet your physician's PA during the first appointment, but they will work with you closely during your follow-up appointments, surgery preparation, and rehabilitation.
Doctor
The orthopaedic physicians at VSON work with their athletic trainers and physician assistants to diagnose your condition and design a treatment plan. During your first appointment, your physician will meet with you after your initial assessment by their team, review your condition in more detail, and perform an in-depth physical examination. They will also share the results of any diagnostic tests and design a treatment plan with your lifestyle and outcome goals in mind.
Next Steps
If MRIs, bone scans, CTs, or additional diagnostics tests are needed – either to definitively diagnose your condition or to determine its severity – the physician's team will work with your insurance company to obtain authorization. Once the tests are approved, someone from the authorization team will call to schedule your test or provide you with a referral to the appropriate facility.
Every attempt will be made to treat your condition conservatively. Your physician's athletic trainer or physician's assistant will set you up with a physical therapy prescription, medication prescription, or any medical equipment (ankle braces, casts, crutches, etc.) that you may need to aid you in your recovery.
If conservative treatments fail to provide relief or your injury requires surgical intervention, your physician will make a surgical recommendation that fits your lifestyle and activity level. The athletic trainer will work with you to schedule your procedure or refer you to the appropriate surgery scheduler.
Follow
Up Call
Traumatic injuries and conditions that require surgery will be referred to the physician's surgery scheduler, who will reach out via phone within 48 hours after receiving your surgical order.
Other follow-up calls may involve a discussion of diagnostic test results, post-operative check-ins, medication instructions, and progress check-ups.
The physicians and their team are always available to answer any questions or address any concerns. Every patient at VSON has a direct line of communication with their orthopaedic team, ensuring you are supported through every stage of your treatment.
Post Op Recovery
Your first post-operative appointment with Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery will be a week after surgery. There, your physician's athletic trainer will check your incision site and change your dressing. The physician's assistant will review your progress and work closely with your physician to design your post-operative recovery plan.
Follow-ups with your physician and their team will occur every few weeks in the first few months post-op. Working together, your orthopaedic team will refine and adjust your rehabilitation strategy – always taking your outcome goals into consideration. As you progress in your recovery, your team will meet with you every few months to monitor your progress and adjust your treatment as needed.
The date of your final post-op visit will depend on your unique condition, procedure, and recovery progress. However, at VSON, care doesn't end at the clinic doors. Even after your recovery, our team is always available to answer any questions or concerns that may arise.
My experience with VSON, its doctors, and their staff has been great. Everyone, from the check-in staff to the athletic trainers to the doctors, is professional, knowledgeable, and compassionate. I could not have been happier with my care!
Andy D.
My mom had surgery with VSON last week. The doctor, his PA, and the rest of his team showed genuine care and concern for my mom's well-being, and I knew she was in good hands the entire time. Very impressed with everyone! Thank you!