A surgical recommendation from one physician is a starting point, not a final answer. Before making a decision that will affect your body and your life, you deserve to know all of your options.
Dr. Hanson will review your full medical history, prior imaging, and any previous treatment notes before your appointment. Coming prepared with records and imaging helps ensure the most productive consultation possible.
Every second opinion begins with a complete physical examination. No recommendation is made based on imaging alone. Dr. Hanson assesses your specific anatomy, range of motion, strength, and functional status.
You will leave the appointment with a clear understanding of your diagnosis, an honest assessment of whether surgery is truly necessary, and a complete picture of all available treatment approaches, surgical and non-surgical alike.
Dr. Hanson has no stake in whether you choose surgery. His goal is to give you accurate information and let you make the right decision for your situation. If your original treatment plan is the right one, he will tell you that too.
General orthopedic surgeons treat the entire musculoskeletal system. Dr. Hanson's practice is limited exclusively to the foot and ankle. That focus translates directly into depth of experience with the conditions, the surgical options, and the outcomes that matter to you.
He is fellowship-trained at UT Health Houston, holds an academic appointment at Weill Cornell Medicine, and is a named co-inventor on patented orthopedic devices. He has operated at the highest level of sports medicine as team physician for Division I and professional athletes. He brings that depth of experience to every consultation, including second opinions.
He also specializes in minimally invasive surgical techniques for bunion correction, Achilles repair, and fracture fixation. Many patients seeking a second opinion discover that a less invasive option exists for their condition that was not part of the original recommendation.
In most cases, no. You can call our office directly to request a second opinion consultation. If your insurance requires a referral, your primary care physician can provide one.
Please bring any prior imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT scans) on disc or via electronic transfer, along with any prior surgical or treatment notes. The more information Dr. Hanson has before your appointment, the more productive the consultation will be.
With your permission, Dr. Hanson is happy to communicate his findings and recommendations to your referring or treating physician. Many patients find this helpful in coordinating their care.
Most insurance plans cover specialist consultations including second opinions. We recommend confirming your coverage with your insurance provider prior to your appointment. Our staff is happy to assist with any questions.
That is a completely valid outcome, and an important one. Confirming that your original surgical plan is appropriate gives you confidence going forward. Not every second opinion results in a different recommendation, but every patient deserves to make their decision with full information.
Schedule a second opinion consultation with Dr. Hanson at Houston Methodist.
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