Preparing for your visit
What to bring, what happens at the first appointment, and how the plan is made.
- 01Request a visitCall the office or use the booking link to choose a time.
- 02Bring your recordsImaging, prior reports and a medication list help make the first visit useful.
- 03Examination and discussionAn exam and a plain explanation of what is going on.
- 04Decide togetherThe options are laid out so you can choose the plan that fits.
What should I bring to my first visit?
Four things: your insurance card, a photo ID, your current medication list, and a referral if your insurance plan requires one.
If a facility has already taken X-rays or an MRI of the area you're being seen for, whether that's your shoulder, hip, or knee, bring copies, or ask the facility to send them ahead of your appointment.
Do I need a referral before I can be seen?
Often, yes. Most patients reach Dr. Johnson through a referral from another physician, and some insurance plans will not cover the visit without one on file.
Check with your insurance plan or your referring doctor's office before your appointment so there are no surprises.
How long does the first visit usually take?
Usually about 45 minutes to an hour.
The exact time depends on your condition and whether imaging needs to be reviewed or ordered, so some visits run shorter and some run longer.
What happens during the visit?
A conversation first, then an exam.
Dr. Johnson will ask about your symptoms and medical history, review any imaging you bring, and examine the joint or area involved. From there he will talk through what he sees and what the reasonable next steps are, which may include further imaging, a hands-on treatment, or simply watching and waiting.
What if I'm being seen for a sports injury?
Bring a short description of how the injury happened and when.
Dr. Johnson completed fellowship training in Orthopedic Sports Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York and treats conditions such as rotator cuff disease, patellar tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, and ligament injuries, so knowing the mechanism of injury, a fall, a twist, repetitive strain, helps shape the first conversation.
What if I'm being seen for back, neck, or nerve pain?
Bring your most recent imaging report if you have one, even if the images themselves are not yet available.
Low back pain, neck pain, sciatica, cervical radiculopathy, and epidural steroid injection are areas of clinical focus for Dr. Johnson, and he will want to know where the pain is, whether it travels down an arm or leg, and what makes it better or worse.
What happens after my first visit?
Usually a plan you leave with the same day.
Depending on what the exam and any imaging show, that plan might include a steroid injection or nerve block, a referral for physical therapy, or a recommendation for further imaging. If you already have a treatment plan from another provider and want a second opinion, that conversation fits into a first visit as well.
Is Dr. Johnson accepting new patients?
Yes. Dr. Johnson is accepting new patients at Oasis Orthopedic & Spine in Clifton, New Jersey.
Who do I contact with questions before my visit?
The front office. Staff there can confirm referral and insurance requirements, tell you what paperwork to complete ahead of time, and help if you need to reschedule.
Ready to talk about your hip, knee and shoulder?
Call the office or request an appointment. Accepting new patients.