Being prepared before your arthritis appointment will be beneficial for you and your doctor.

Receiving medical evaluations from a physician is extremely important when it comes to managing your symptoms of arthritis. But as much as simply showing up to the doctor's office is crucial for treatment, being prepared for the trip to the doctor is just as essential. Here are a few tips to consider when scheduling an appointment with your physician for your arthritis.

Prior to your appointment

The best thing to remember about being appropriately prepared for your doctor's appointment is that not only is this beneficial to your condition, but it also assists the physician in knowing specifically what to look out for. If you have been experiencing a variety of symptoms of arthritis, make sure to write them all down with detailed descriptions. Including your medical history is another way for doctors to see what previous methods of treatment have been successful or have failed in the past. It's also a good idea to provide a list of all the previous medications you've taken for all health ailments.

Write your questions out

While there are obviously many pressing issues happening in your life that don't pertain to living with arthritis, that's no excuse to show up for your scheduled appointment completely unprepared. If something about your treatment doesn't make sense, or you want to find out how your medication is improving your arthritis, you need to ask these questions, otherwise the doctor will assume you're already aware of this. Writing down your inquiries ahead of time may also ensure that you're fully prepared.

What to expect

The more you know what type of questions you'll be asked during your examination, the more informative your answers will be for your physician. Typical questions from a doctor may include:

• Which specific joints and areas are causing the most pain?
• When did you first notice your symptoms?
• Do certain activities make your pain increase?
• Does your family have a history of arthritis?

Make sure you know the answers to these questions before showing up at the doctor's office.

To learn more about your healthcare team:

7 Signs It Was Time to Find a New Doctor
Going to the Doctor? Why You Need to Take a Friend
What to Do When Your Doctor's Treatment Plan is Wrong for You