Corpus Christi
2701 Morgan Ave #425, Corpus Christi, TX 78405
(361) 444-6044More info about Corpus Christi
Orthopedic Evaluations in Texas
A comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment that combines medical history, physical examination, and imaging review to clarify an injury and guide an appropriate treatment plan.
- Clinical scope
- Musculoskeletal care
- Evaluation
- History + physical exam
- Imaging
- X-ray, MRI, CT + ultrasound
- Access
- 6 Texas clinics
DBMedically reviewed by Dr. E. Donald Baxter, M.D., Orthopedic SurgeonLast updated July 2026
Quick overview
Who We Help
Two audiences read this page: the person who was hurt, and the professional handling their claim. Both need the same evaluation to hold up.
Injured patients
Anyone hurt in a collision, 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 is injured, how severe it is, whether it will heal on its own, and what treatment is reasonable. For injury patients that clarity determines the treatment plan; for a claim it establishes the medical baseline everything else is measured against.
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 document exactly how the injury occurred: direction of impact, position of the body, what was felt immediately versus what developed later. Mechanism drives the differential diagnosis and is the first thing an adjuster looks for.
2
Physical examination
Range of motion, strength, stability, reflexes, and sensation are measured and recorded numerically. Specific provocative tests isolate the injured structure rather than 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
Comprehensive
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
Individualized
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
An evaluation is only useful if it ends in a decision. Here is what comes out of it.
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 specific structural diagnosis, not a symptom labelSeverity and expected healing trajectoryAn opinion on causation and injury timingPre-existing conditions addressed directly
3Next steps
Conservative treatment where it is likely to workReferral to pain management or neurosurgery when indicatedWritten work and activity restrictionsFollow-up or additional testing when clinically appropriate
When to call us. 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 analysis
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 communicationProvided at key milestones
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.
Qualified injury cases
Lien-based arrangements may be available for qualifying personal injury cases. The team confirms eligibility and terms for each referral.
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 actual source with examination and image-guided diagnostics rather than treating the most likely candidate and hoping.
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 exhausted before surgery is ever put on the table.
04
Records written for scrutiny
Documentation is prepared knowing an adjuster, opposing counsel, or a jury may read it, not simply filed away.
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 clients are treated close to home and actually attend follow-ups.
Department
Orthopedic evaluations
Other departments
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.
Main branch(409) 600-8707
Medical review
Orthopedic evaluation specialist
The physician responsible for the medical review of this page.
Our branches
Find a clinic near you
Corporate office: 324 North 23rd Street, Beaumont, TX 77707
Arlington
907(A) Medical Center Drive, Arlington, TX 76012
(409) 600-8690More info about ArlingtonDallas
8330 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy, Suite B400, Dallas, TX 75243
(469) 673-3064More info about DallasSan Antonio
7220 Louis Pasteur Drive, Suite 130, San Antonio, TX 78229
(210) 468-3440More info about San AntonioHouston
8928 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77054
(409) 600-8690More info about HoustonBeaumont (Corporate HQ)
324 North 23rd St, Beaumont, TX 77707
(409) 600-8707More info about Beaumont (Corporate HQ)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 patients
Contact GTOA before scheduling. The team can confirm whether a referral, authorization, or prior records are needed for your requested location and service.
For attorneys and case managers
Availability varies by location and clinical need. Contact the referral team to confirm current scheduling for a specific client.