Do I need a referral to be seen at Capital Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine?

This depends on your insurance plan. Check with your insurance company to confirm if a referral is needed.

An EMG (electromyogram) is a diagnostic test that measures electrical activity in muscles. It's often paired with a nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test to diagnose conditions like carpal tunnel or neuropathy.

Orthopedic FAQs | Capital Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

Q: What holidays is the office closed?

2024 Holiday Office Closures: Monday, 1/1/24: New Year's Day. Monday, 5/27/24: Memorial Day. Thursday, 7/4/24: Independence Day. Monday, 9/2/24: Labor Day. Thursday, 11/28/24: Thanksgiving. Wednesday, 12/25/24: Christmas Day. Special hours: 7/5/24: closes at 1:00 pm, 11/29/24: closes at noon.

Q: How do I contact you after-hours?

In emergencies, call 911. For urgent issues outside business hours, a medical answering service will connect you with our physicians.

Q: What is a podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) specializing in the treatment of the foot and ankle. Our DPM, Dr. Michael Lee, is board certified in foot and ankle surgery.

Q: What is a PA/physician assistant?

PA’s are healthcare providers with a Master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies. They diagnose and treat patients independently but collaborate with physicians. They can also prescribe medications.

Q: Why do you spell 'orthopaedics' with an 'a'?

Both 'orthopaedics' and 'orthopedics' are correct. Our practice uses 'orthopaedics' in alignment with most professional organizations in the field.

Frequently
Asked Questions

What are your office hours?

Main office (Clive): 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday
Clive Walk-In Clinic: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday
Ankeny Walk-In Clinic: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday
Phones: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday
MRI: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday

How do I get in touch with my medical team if I have more questions?

You can get in touch with your physician and team through the patient portal (online or in the Athena app) and/or by calling our main number, 515-440-2676. Our clinical staff is doing something different every day – they may be seeing patients in clinic, working with a different physician and/or at a different location, or on the phone with another patient. Due to this, you will almost always be transferred to their voicemail to leave a message and then receive a call back from either the lead assistant or the triage nurse once they are able to answer your question. Depending on the content of your message, they may not be able to call you back until they have conferred with your physician.

What holidays is the office closed?

2024 Holiday Office Closures
Monday, 1/1/24: New Year's Day
Monday, 5/27/24: Memorial Day
Thursday, 7/4/24: Independence Day
Monday, 9/2/24: Labor Day
Thursday, 11/28/24: Thanksgiving
Wednesday, 12/25/24: Christmas Day
Wednesday, 1/1/25: New Year’s Day

2024 Special Office Hours
Friday, 7/5/24: Office closes at 1:00pm (day after Independence Day)
Friday, 11/29/24: Clive office closes at noon | Ankeny office closed all day (day after Thanksgiving)
Tuesday, 12/24/24: Office closes at noon (Christmas Eve)
Tuesday, 12/31/24: Office closes at noon (New Year's Eve)

How do I contact you after-hours?

In the event of an emergency, you should always call 911.

We are available when you need us; a medical answering service will connect you to our physicians should an issue arise outside of business hours that requires immediate attention. Multiple specialty surgeons are always available to ensure appropriate care is provided for our patients.

What is an orthopaedic surgeon?

An orthopaedic surgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in treating the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and sometimes even skin. After receiving an undergraduate degree, orthopaedic surgeons attend medical school for four years, where they learn about and do rotations in many different fields of medicine. Following medical school graduation, ortho residency programs are typically 5 years (one year of general surgery; the subsequent four years specifically of orthopaedic surgery.) Many orthopaedic surgeons then continue their training in a one-year Fellowship program to further specialize and hone their skills to an even greater extent.

What is a podiatrist?

A podiatrist is a licensed Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM). These physicians are devoted solely to the treatment of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Podiatrists go to medical school for the standard four years, and then train intensively for multiple years in residency.

Our DPM at Capital Orthopaedics, Dr. Michael Lee, trained in a special residency program that is surgically focused. Not all podiatrists perform surgeries in the OR, but we are lucky enough to have all of ours board certified in foot and ankle surgery.

What is the difference between a physician who is an MD vs. a DO?

The credentials “MD” stands for “medical doctor”, while “DO” stands for “doctor of osteopathy. ”The main difference between the two programs is thatMDs learn allopathic medicine, and DOs learn osteopathic medicine. According to the American Medical Association (AMA),osteopathic medicine was founded on the belief that all systems in the body are interrelated, while the allopathic approach focuses on scientifically diagnosing and treating the symptoms at-hand. Criteria to apply/get into MD and DO programs are virtually the same and the coursework between the programs is very similar. Both programs spend the first 12-24 months largely in the classroom, and nearly all remaining time in a clinical setting.

The differences between the 2 types of physicians grow fewer as time goes on. They now use the same Match program for residency selection, take the same licensing exams, and fulfill the same roles. Today in America, 1 in 4 medical students attends a DO program. As time moves forward, physicians and patients alike seem to be less concerned about the credentials behind the name and more focused on the “Dr.” in front.

What is a PA/physician assistant?

PA’s are healthcare providers that hold a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies. To obtain this degree, one graduates with a bachelor’s degree and then attends a two-year program which includes classroom, academic instruction as well as hundreds of hours of clinical rotations. After completion of this program and passing the national certification exam, PA's work alongside an attending physician — however, they can diagnose/treat patients independently, as well as prescribe medications.

Why do you spell “orthopaedics” with an “a”?

Both spelling variations of this word are correct, and you’ll often see the two versions used, even interchangeably. Some say that “ae” is the British version and dropping the “a” is the Americanized spelling; however, the version a person uses often comes down to personal preference. Our practice has chosen to align its spelling with most professional organizations in the field (e.g., American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Association of Orthopaedic Medicine, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, etc.)

Do I need a referral to be seen at your office?

This is completely dependent on your insurance carrier and specific plan. Often times, if your insurance requires a referral, that information will be indicated somewhere on your physical insurance card. However, this is not always the case. It is always best and most prudent to contact your insurance company for verification.

What is an EMG?

EMG is shorthand for “electromyogram” or “electromyography”. Most often, a nerve conduction velocity (NCV) is done in conjunction with an EMG. That way, both nerves and muscles are tested simultaneously. An EMG/NCV is a diagnostic tool that can provide your medical team with information about a potential injury or condition involving your nerves or muscles.

When muscles are active, they create/produce electrical current — the greater the current, typically the greater the activity. Surface patch electrodes are placed on different areas of the effected area, and the EMG machine sends a mild electrical impulse to stimulate the nerve(s). The NCV measures how long it takes for your nerve(s) to register that there has been stimulation.

This test can help differentiate if weakness is being caused by muscle/nerve damage (or if your symptoms are unrelated to your muscles or nerves). Furthermore, it helps your physician pinpoint just where the damage is and to what extent. An EMG/NCV will often be ordered if a patient has symptoms of weakness, numbness, or tingling. It has the ability to help detect and diagnose many diseases and conditions such as carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, tarsal tunnel, neuropathy, disc herniation, pinched nerves, inflammation of muscles, peripheral nerve damage, muscular dystrophy, ALS, and more.

The experience of an EMG varies greatly depending on the patient. There will likely be some level of discomfort, but it is usually well tolerated.

The physician conducting the test(s) will talk to you throughout the process and discuss what is happening. Unlike some diagnostic tests (i.e. MRI, CT), you will know your results before leaving the office that day.

There is nothing you need to do to prepare for an EMG, except to avoid using lotions/perfumes the day of. You should take all medications as usual, including pain medications and/or anti-inflammatories. You should not need a driver to take you home.

What is PRP?

PRP stands for Platelet-Rich Plasma, and it is an injection commonly used to treat tendon injuries or joint pain from osteoarthritis.Capital Orthopaedics does have physicians that administer these injections to patients if the circumstances present a scenario where it would be beneficial.The entire procedure takes roughly 60 minutes and is never covered by insurance, as the treatment is still considered investigational. PRP injections can be performed in our Clive office or at a surgery facility for patients who are interested in having the injection done while having surgery.The process is as follows: Blood is drawn from your arm, as if you’re getting routine lab work done. That blood is spun in a centrifuge for 15 minutes. This is a fancy machine you may have seen inBiology Lab that uses high force and speed to separate different components of a liquid. (They’re separated based on differing densities, states of matter, etc.) When the machine is done spinning, the centrifuge will have separated the blood into 3 different sections–red blood cells, plasma, and platelet-rich plasma.-The platelet-rich plasma is extracted from the vial and injected using an ultrasound to guide the needle *exactly* where it needs to go.Platelet-rich plasma contains 4-10 times the concentration of platelets in your blood. Platelets contain hundreds of proteins called growth factors, which are important in and can help promote the healing of injuries.

What is a gel/Visco injection?

These injections are used as a treatment for arthritis; and while it is not a cure or a permanent solution, it can provide great relief for people experiencing joint pain. Where each of your bones meet (i.e. joints), there is cartilage in-between so that the bones glide smoothy against one another. However, as the body ages, that cartilage is naturally worn thinner–and in some people (especially those who genetically start out with less cartilage to begin with), is is essentially completely rubbed away. This leaves your bones sitting on top of each other and causing pain when you move as they knock against each other with no cushion. This type of injection is a thick fluid that can mimic the role of articular cartilage. It is important to note that these types of injections require an authorization process through your insurance company, so they need to be planned for ahead of time.Additionally, you may only have a gel injection in a specific body part every 6 months.

What is a cortisone injection?

When your body experiences injury or trauma, whether acute or chronic, it becomes stressed and acts in self-defense by producing an inflammatory response. Inflammation includes the release of certain chemicals that cause swelling–a defense mechanism your body uses to isolate that area of the body from affecting other body parts/tissues. Despite the body thinking that it is acting in your best interest, the inflammatory response can cause significant pain.A cortisone (or corticosteroid) injection is a steroidal anti-inflammatory that targets small, specific areas of the body-telling them to calm down and relax their response. Due to potential side effects if taken too often over long periods of time, the number of times you can get cortisone injections in a year are typically limited by your physician. (The average amount of time required between these injections is 3 months, though can differ depending on physician and specific body part.)

Can I request an interpreter to be at my appointment(s)?

Absolutely! When you speak with a patient coordinator to schedule an appointment , tell them you would like to have someone there to translate for you and let them know which language.

We will coordinate and provide on-site interpretation (someone that is physically there to help you check in for your appointment and remain with you throughout the appointment’s entirety) for the following languages (alphabetical order):
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Albanian (Geg/Tosk), American Sign Language (ASL), Arabic, Aramaic, Armenian, Assyrian, Azerbaijani, Bengali, Bosnian, Burmese, Chaldean, Chinese, Chin (Mizo/Hakha/Falam), Croatian, Dari, Farsi, French, Georgian, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Jordanian, Karen, Kirundi, Korean, Krahn, Kunama, Lao, Lebanese, Liberian, Lingala, Mandarin Chinese, Nepali, Nuer, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Rwandese, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili/Kiswahili, Swedish, Syleti, Tagalog (Hiligaynon/Ilonggo), Thai, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese, and Yemen.

If I have already been treated by another orthopaedic practice, what do I need to do to make an appointment at Capital Orthopaedics?

Please call the main phone number at 515-440-2676, and the patient care coordinators will determine whether you will need to provide office notes, surgery notes, imaging reports, etc. for review prior to scheduling with one of our physicians.

What is the reschedule/no-show/cancellation policy?

If you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment for any reason, we simply ask that you call to let us know as soon as possible (preferably 24 hours or more, but any notice is helpful.) There is no monetary fine for rescheduling or canceling. However, if it is 15 minutes past your appointment time and you are neither at the office, nor have we heard from you, you will be considered a “no-show.” If you no-show three times within six months, it’s possible that you will no longer be able to schedule appointments with us. Kindly just give us a call if you’re unable to make it.

How do I refill a prescription?

Contact our main office via phone, 515-440-2676, or online through the patient portal. If you call, you will likely leave a message for your physician’s team indicating your request and either the lead assistant or our triage nurse will return your call to make these arrangements. If requested through the portal, staff may reach out via phone call if they have questions or instructions for you; if it’s a refill and there’s nothing to discuss, they may simply respond via the portal that they have filled your request. We recommend that you verify with our office and/or your pharmacy prior to 5pm. That way, if there is an issue with your medication request or if it is unable to be processed, you will be aware and potentially still be able to discuss this with someone at our office.

Important things to note:
-We only fill prescriptions during regular business hours (i.e. not after 5pm and not on weekends). There are very few exceptions to this that involve extenuating circumstances — such as postoperative complications/concerns.
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-If you leave a message for a prescription refill after 4pm, it is not guaranteed that your message will be attended to that same day, so please plan accordingly. This is especially imperative on Fridays, as your message may not be responded to/prescription filled until Monday.
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-In some instances, we may require that a patient be seen in the office prior to renewal.
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-Physicians and providers at Capital Orthopaedics will not/cannot prescribe medication to patients they have not seen or for an issue unrelated to what they’ve examined you for previously. If you have an upcoming appointment to see a Capital Orthopaedics provider for the first time or for a new problem and find you are in need of a prescription, we recommend you contact your primary care provider.

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