Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make an appointment?

Just call Orthopaedic Specialists’ main office number (563-344-9292) to schedule an appointment.

Where are you located?

OS Specialists, PC’s main offices are located in the Mississippi Medical Plaza at 3385 Dexter Court in Davenport, Iowa.

We have additional locations in Clinton (2635 Lincoln Way) and at Trinity’s Terrace Park Campus in Bettendorf (4450 Utica Ridge Road). You can call our main office at 563-344-9292 to identify the location nearest you and to schedule an appointment.

How do I contact your billing office?

Orthopaedic Specialists’ billing office is located at our main office in the Mississippi Medical Plaza. You can contact us during normal business hours (8:00 am – 5:00 pm) by phone, or you can e-mail us at ..

If you need to mail something to us, please send it to:

Billing Office
Orthopaedic Specialists, PC
3385 Dexter Court
Davenport, IA 52807

What insurance carriers do you accept?

Orthopaedic Specialists, PC accepts most major insurance plans. We also accept patients who have out-of-network benefits. We have an insurance verifications department that would be happy to discuss your benefits and your out-of-network responsibilities.

Is airport assistance available?

Out-of-town patients visiting Orthopaedic Specialists, PC can take advantage of services offered by the Mississippi Medical Plaza’s operational staff. Taxi service can be arranged from the airport to OS’s offices which are attached to an ambulatory surgery center where many of our procedures are performed. There are hotels nearby for family and for extended stays if required.

For more information, contact the patient relations office at Orthopaedic Specialists, PC.

Is there more than one kind of joint?

Yes, there are three types of joint found in your body.

The first type is called a FIBROUS joint. These allow minimal movement. The best example of this type of joint is the bones of the skull.

The second type is called a CARTILAGINOUS joint. Also known as disc joints, they are found between the vertebrae of the spine.

The third type is called a SYNOVIAL joint. These types comprise what we normally think of as joints. They are found in the upper and lower extremities. The joining ends of bone are covered by cartilage, which is contained in a tissue capsule. The inner lining of the capsule has a synovial membrane made up of cells that produce a fluid that lubricates the joint.

What is a joint?

A joint is the junction of two or more bones (an articulating hinge), whether movable or not. Examples include the knee joints, the shoulder or elbow joints, as well as the hip joints.

What are the types of synovial joint motion?

There are six kinds of synovial joint motion (ball and socket, hinge, saddle, ellipsoidal, gliding and pivot).

Why do bones wear out?

Bones change with age. They become less elastic and more brittle. The joints between bones may become rough as the cartilage wears out.

What do joints do?

Joints allow bones to move relative to each other, and keep the ends of the bones properly aligned. This allows us to bend our knees, wrists, and digits.

How do bones grow?

Long bones, like those in your legs and arms, increase in length from growth plates at the end. Bone growth stops when you become an adult.

What is Arthroscopic Surgery?

Prior to 1970 most joint surgery required large incisions and a prolonged recovery. Fortunately, arthroscopic surgery has completely changed the way joint injuries are treated.

With the aid of an arthroscope, the doctors of Orthopaedic Specialists can easily examine, diagnose, and treat joint problems which, in earlier years, may have been extremely difficult to even identify.

The arthroscope is a small fiber-optic viewing instrument made up of a tiny lens, light source and video camera. The surgical instruments used in arthroscopic surgery are very small (only 3 to 5 mm. in diameter), but are designed to present a magnified picture.

The surgeon inserts the arthroscope into the joint through a tiny incision (about 1/4 of an inch) called a portal. Other portals are used for the insertion of surgical instruments. With small incision sites and direct access to most areas of the joint, the surgeon can diagnose and correct a wide variety of problems such as arthritis and ligament tears. Arthroscopy can also be used in conjunction with open procedures, such as an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction, as well as procedures dealing with the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and ankle.

What Causes Knee Problems?

There are two general kinds of knee problems: Traumatic and inflammatory.

Traumatic Knee Problems
Some knee problems result from a single injury, such as a direct blow or sudden force that shifts the knee beyond its normal range of movement. Other problems, such as osteoarthritis, result from years of wear and tear on the articular cartilage.

Inflammatory Knee Problems
Inflammation that occurs in certain rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, can damage the knee.

How Are Knee Problems Diagnosed?

Doctors use several methods to diagnose knee problems.

  • Medical history – The patient tells the doctor details about symptoms and about any injury, condition, or general health issues that might be related to the the problem.
  • Physical examination – The doctor manipulates and palpates the knee to assess motion, laxity, function and location of pain. The patient may be asked to stand, walk or squat to help the doctor assess the knee’s function.
  • Diagnostic tests – The healthcare professionals at OS uses a variety tests to determine the nature of a knee problem.
  • X-ray (radiography) – An x-ray beam is passed through the knee to produce a two-dimensional picture of the bones.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – Energy from a powerful magnet (rather than x-ray) stimulates knee tissue to produce signals that are detected by a scanner and analyzed by a computer. This creates a series of cross-sectional images of a specific part of the knee. An MRI is particularly useful for detecting meniscus, ligament, soft tissue damage or disease. Like a CAT scan, a computer is used to produce the images of the knee during MRI.
  • Arthroscopy – The doctor manipulates a small, lighted optic tube (arthroscope) that has been inserted into the joint through a small incision in the knee. At this point, the entire joint is inspected. Direct visualization is sometimes necessary for an accurate diagnosis prior to any additional treatment.
  • Bone scan (radionuclide scanning) – A very small amount of radioactive material is injected into the patient’s bloodstream and detected by a scanner. This test detects blood flow and bone activity. It can help detect bone tumors, infection and occult fractures.
  • Computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan – X-rays lasting a fraction of a second are passed through the knee at different angles, detected by a scanner, and analyzed by a computer. This produces a series of clear cross-sectional images (“slices”) of the knee on a computer screen. CAT scan images show bone and soft tissue detail — more clearly than conventional x rays. The computer can combine individual images to give a three-dimensional view of the knee.
  • Arthrogram – A small amount of dye is introduced into the joint prior to an x-ray or CT scan. This results in better outlining and detail in the films.
What is arthritis?

Arthritis is exhibited by joint swelling, pain, and loss of motion.

Is there more than one kind of arthritis?

There are more than 100 kinds of disease that can cause arthritis.

The most common forms of arthritis are:

  • Osteoarthritis (OA)
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
  • Gout

Less common forms are referred to as psoriatic and septic arthritis.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease. It is caused by injury or years of use. It results when the smooth cartilage between the bone joints wear out or is damaged by injury or disease.

Do only old people get arthritis?

No. Although osteoarthritis can be found in young adults, it usually becomes more of a problem with age. Rheumatoid arthritis may affect young and old people.

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by inflammation of the lining of the joints. It tends to be present for many years.

Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects many joints and can lead to damage of cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bone. This may cause deformity of the joints.

We do not yet understand the cause of rheumatoid arthritis as it varies from person to person.