Joint pain can be debilitating, and it can also be really hard to diagnose. A doctor might take a look and tell you that you have arthritis, that you injured a certain tendon, or that you strained a particular ligament. However, it's a good idea to get a second opinion before you pursue treatment or accept that you'll just have to deal with the pain. Luckily, it's not that hard to get a second opinion about joint pain online. here are some tips to follow to get a good second opinion from a doctor who offers online consultations.

Look for a doctor who offers orthopedic treatments.

Since you're spending the time and money to get a second opinion, you want to make sure that second opinion is coming from a doctor who really, really knows joint pain well. Don't book with a general physician. Look instead for an orthopedic doctor or an orthopedic surgeon. These practitioners have studied joint ailments, in particular, and are more likely to spot an irregular or abnormal diagnosis.

Send any images to the doctor prior to your appointment.

Call any labs or doctors' offices that took images of your painful joint, and ask them to send copies of those images to you. Then, forward the images to the doctor who will be giving you a second opinion. This gives them time to review the images before your appointment so they can take their time and have more answers for you by the time you actually chat with them.

Write down a description of your symptoms ahead of time; include lots of details.

There are so many different qualities that joint pain can have. Knowing how you are experiencing your pain will help clue the doctor into what, exactly, is ailing you. So, spend a little time, prior to your appointment, writing down a thorough description of the pain. When does it occur? How severe is it? Would you describe it as sharp or dull? It's easier to think of these details when you're not on the spot, staring at a doctor through your webcam.

Have a video conference, if possible.

Although some doctors will give a consultation over the phone with audio only after reviewing your images, you are better off scheduling a video conference or video call. This allows you to point to areas where your joint hurts and demonstrate different movements, which can help with diagnosis.

It's always a good idea to get a second opinion on joint pain, and with the tips above, you can make sure that a second opinion is thorough and accurate. For more information about getting an online second opinion for treating joint pain, contact a local doctor who offers this service.