How do most patients get scheduled for a first visit with Dr. Cole?

Through a referral, in most cases.

Traumatic injuries, meaning fractures, dislocations, and injuries affecting bone and the tissue around it, are often first seen in an emergency department or by a primary care physician, who then sends imaging and notes ahead of the appointment. If you are coming in this way, ask the referring office to forward your X-rays, any MRI images, and hospital notes so they are on hand before your visit.

What should I bring to my first visit?

A photo ID, your insurance card, and a list of current medications, at minimum.

Bring any imaging you already have, even if it is on a CD or reachable through a patient portal, along with the name and contact information of any physician or emergency department that treated you before this visit.

Will I need an X-ray at this visit?

Often, yes, for a new or recently treated injury.

Because Dr. Cole's practice centers on trauma, imaging is frequently part of a first evaluation so the treatment plan is built on a clear picture of the injury. If you already have recent imaging from an emergency department or another physician, bringing it may reduce the need to repeat a study.

How long should I plan for the appointment?

Plan for about 30 to 60 minutes, longer if this is your first visit for a new injury.

That time covers check-in, any imaging done on-site, the physical exam, and a conversation about what was found and what comes next. Arriving 15 minutes early for paperwork helps keep the visit on schedule.

What happens after the visit if I need surgery?

Not usually a scheduled date on the same day.

If surgery is part of the discussion, Dr. Cole will walk through the reasoning and what it would involve, and a separate visit or call typically covers scheduling and preparation in detail. The practice's Preparing for Surgery page covers that process step by step.

Does Dr. Cole's training affect how my visit is run?

Yes, in how the exam and imaging are approached.

Dr. Cole completed fellowship training in orthopaedic trauma at Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Hospital, following residency at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, through Erlanger Baroness Hospital, and medical school at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. That background is why a first visit for a traumatic injury tends to include a systematic look at bone alignment and surrounding structures rather than a brief look and a quick plan.