Corpus Christi
2701 Morgan Ave #425, Corpus Christi, TX 78405
Orthopedic Evaluations for Injured Patients in Texas
A comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment after a car accident, fall, or work injury, combining medical history, physical examination, and imaging review to clarify the injury and guide an appropriate treatment plan.
- Clinical scope
- Musculoskeletal care
- Evaluation
- History + physical exam
- Imaging review
- X-ray, MRI, CT + ultrasound
- Access
- 6 Texas clinics
DBMedically reviewed by Dr. E. Donald Baxter, M.D., Orthopedic SurgeonLast updated October 2026
Quick overview
Who We Help
Two audiences read this page: the person who was hurt, and the professional handling their claim. Both rely on the same careful evaluation.
Injured patients
Anyone hurt in a car accident, a fall, or on the job who needs to know what is actually wrong before committing to treatment, and who wants it explained in plain language.
Attorneys and case managers
Firms that need a clear orthopedic baseline supported by objective examination findings, imaging correlation, and organized medical documentation.
Overview
What Is an Orthopedic Evaluation?
An orthopedic evaluation is a structured assessment of the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. The physician takes a detailed history of how the injury happened, performs a hands-on examination with specific provocative tests, and correlates what is found on the table with what appears on imaging.
The result is a working diagnosis rather than a symptom list: which structure may be injured, how severe it is, how it is likely to progress, and what treatment may be reasonable. For injury patients that clarity determines the treatment plan; for a claim it documents the medical findings at that point in time.
Conditions
Injuries and Symptoms We Evaluate
We evaluate the full range of musculoskeletal injury, from the obvious fracture to the persistent pain that imaging alone does not explain.
Neck and back pain after a collision
Shoulder, knee, hip, and ankle injuries
Fractures, dislocations, and post-surgical problems
Ligament, tendon, and soft-tissue tears
Numbness, tingling, weakness, and radiating pain
Pre-existing conditions aggravated by trauma
Your visit
What Happens During an Orthopedic Evaluation?
A structured visit that moves from injury history and examination to findings, recommendations, and next steps.
1
History and mechanism of injury
We record your account of how the injury occurred: direction of impact, position of the body, what was felt immediately versus what developed later. The mechanism of injury helps guide the diagnosis.
2
Physical examination
Range of motion, strength, stability, reflexes, and sensation are examined and recorded. Specific provocative tests help identify which structure may be involved, not just the general area.
3
Imaging review or referral
Existing MRI, CT, X-ray, or ultrasound studies are reviewed alongside the examination. Additional testing may be recommended when the available imaging does not answer the clinical question.
4
Diagnosis and explanation
The physician explains the findings, the likely diagnosis, and the treatment options that may be appropriate, including conservative, interventional, or surgical care when indicated.
5
Written report and plan
The evaluation documents the history, examination findings, diagnosis, recommendations, and any work or activity restrictions that apply.
Practical details
What to Expect
What the visit actually looks like on the day, and what follows it.
Evaluation
Exam + records review
The visit combines injury history, a focused musculoskeletal examination, and review of the available records.
Imaging
Bring records
Bring available films and reports so the clinician can compare imaging with the examination findings.
Treatment plan
Based on your diagnosis
Recommendations are based on the diagnosis, functional limitations, imaging, and prior treatment.
Follow-up
As recommended
The clinician will explain whether reassessment, additional testing, or referral to another specialty is appropriate.
After the evaluation
Findings, Diagnosis, and Next Steps
Here is what typically comes out of an evaluation.
1Findings
Measured range of motion, strength, and stabilityPositive and negative provocative test resultsImaging correlated to the physical examinationObjective signs distinguished from reported symptoms
2Diagnosis
A structural diagnosis where the findings support oneSeverity and expected healing trajectoryWhere clinically appropriate, how the incident and the findings relatePre-existing conditions described where relevant
3Next steps
Conservative treatment where it is likely to workReferral to pain management or neurosurgery when indicatedWritten work and activity restrictions when clinically appropriateFollow-up or additional testing when clinically appropriate
Warning signs. Seek immediate medical care for new or worsening weakness, spreading numbness, saddle numbness, or loss of bladder or bowel control. These can be signs of a medical emergency and should not wait for a scheduled visit.
Referral workflow
Referral, Documentation, and Communication
GTOA coordinates referral intake, scheduling, clinical records, and status communication for patients and legal teams.
Initial evaluation report
History, mechanism of injury, examination findings, diagnosis, and the proposed treatment plan.
Imaging correlation
MRI, CT, and X-ray findings tied explicitly to your client's reported symptoms and physical examination.
Causation and pre-existing findings
When clinically appropriate, documentation can discuss how the reported incident, objective findings, and pre-existing conditions relate.
Treatment records and progress
Visits and procedures are documented with relevant pain, function, examination, and response information.
Future care recommendations
The evaluation may identify additional testing, treatment, referral, or follow-up that should be considered.
What to expect
Timing depends on location, clinical need, record availability, and clinician review. The team can confirm the next step for a specific request.
Referral requestReviewed by the team
SchedulingBased on location and clinical need
Evaluation notesAvailable after clinician review
Records requestsConfirmed for each request
Status communicationAvailable on request
Cost & coverage
Insurance, Payment, and Case Coordination
Coverage and payment arrangements vary. Contact the team before scheduling so eligibility and current options can be confirmed.
Health insurance
Contact GTOA to verify current plan participation, benefits, and any authorization requirements before the visit.
LOP and medical liens
GTOA accepts letters of protection and medical liens. Eligibility, scope, billing terms, and scheduling are confirmed for each case before treatment begins.
Self-pay
Patients paying directly can contact the office for current pricing and available payment arrangements.
Why GTOA
Why Choose GTOA?
The same six reasons matter to a patient choosing a clinic and to a firm choosing where to send a client.
01
Diagnosis before treatment
We identify the injured structure through history, examination, and imaging review before recommending treatment.
02
Evidence-based evaluation
History, physical examination, and available imaging are considered together rather than treating a scan or symptom in isolation.
03
Conservative care first
Non-surgical and minimally invasive options are considered first, and surgery is discussed when the diagnosis calls for it.
04
Clear, consistent records
Documentation is organized, dated, and internally consistent, so it stays clear to anyone who reviews it later.
05
Clear communication
Patients and referring legal teams can contact GTOA about scheduling, records, and the next step in the evaluation process.
06
Six Texas clinics
Beaumont, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Arlington, and Corpus Christi, so care can continue close to home.
Request care or refer a client
Patients can request care through Contact Us, and legal teams can begin a referral through the For Attorneys page.
Medical review
Orthopedic evaluation specialist
The physician responsible for the medical review of this page.
Our branches
Find a clinic near you
Six clinics across Texas. Choose the one closest to you for hours, phone, and directions.
Arlington
907(A) Medical Center Drive, Arlington, TX 76012
Dallas
8330 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy, Suite B400, Dallas, TX 75243
San Antonio
7220 Louis Pasteur Drive, Suite 130, San Antonio, TX 78229
Houston
8928 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77054
Beaumont (Corporate HQ)
324 North 23rd St, Beaumont, TX 77707
Related care
Related Services
Two specialty pathways that may follow an orthopedic evaluation when the findings call for focused pain care or surgical assessment.
For attorneys
Availability varies by location and clinical need. Contact the referral team to confirm current scheduling for a specific client.