Making an Appointment with the Hypermobility Clinic
It’s common for people with a hypermobility disorder to visit many different healthcare providers before coming to our Hypermobility Clinic. We understand how discouraging it can be for you or someone you love to go home without a diagnosis.
To help those who suspect a hypermobility disorder receive a diagnosis more quickly, request a referral from your pediatrician, primary care provider or a subspecialty physician for you or your child. Once we have the referral, we will contact you, but if you haven’t heard from us, please contact us to schedule an appointment.
When you call our Hypermobility Clinic, our expertly trained care team will ask you a series of questions to help us confirm that our clinic is the best place for you or your child. If a different department will better serve your needs, we’ll walk you through the process of connecting with the proper department.
The Hypermobility Clinic has locations throughout the Cincinnati area. Our schedulers will help you find the location that is right for you.
Before Your Appointment
Prior to the visit, you may be involved in an intake process via email, MyChart or a telephone call. During this process, a nurse will gather important information about you or your child’s medical and surgical history, as well as family history. You may also be asked about your goals for the visit and for information about previous treatments.
If you don’t know your family’s health history, reach out to family members so you will be better prepared to answer some of our questions.
On the Day of Your Visit to the Hypermobility Clinic
For the visit, expect to be at the appointment for 60 to 90 minutes, possibly longer, depending on you or your child’s issues. Please arrive at least 30 minutes early to park and complete the registration process.
Be sure to bring a list of your or your child’s current medications.
We recommend that you or your child wear (or bring with you) a short-sleeved T-shirt and a pair of shorts for the physical exam. Shoes that are easily slipped on and off are preferable. The physical examination is comprised of completing the Beighton score, which measures hypermobility in the extremities, and an exam looking for signs associated with hypermobility.
During Your Hypermobility Clinic Appointment
During the visit, you or your child will:
- Review personal medical history
- Review medications
- Review family medical history
- Have a physical exam
- Talk about symptoms and concerns
At the visit, you or your child will have vital signs (height, weight, blood pressure, temperature and pulse) recorded. You and/or your child may be asked to fill out some screening questionnaires about mood, quality of life and functionality.
Before you leave, our care team will give you detailed instructions on how to make a follow-up appointment or complete any other testing or evaluations. We will provide referral information and how to go about getting those referrals.
After Your Visit to the Hypermobility Clinic
Our care team will contact you to review test results and your personalized treatment plan via telephone or MyChart. We also will send a summary of your visit to your or your child’s pediatrician, primary care provider, and any subspeciality providers that you would like to have the information.
You are welcome to contact us between appointments with any questions or concerns. The Hypermobility Clinic care team is available to answer questions and discuss concerns during usual weekday business hours. There is an adolescent medicine physician on call for emergencies, but your pediatrician or primary care provider is often able to answer your questions.
