Frequently Asked Questions

• If you have an acute injury that occurred within the past two days and is not improving, please come to one of our orthopedic urgent care clinics. 
• Non-acute or chronic concerns will be handled through our scheduling department. 
• Workers' compensation cases will be handled through our  workers' compensation department. 

Our practice handles orthopedic and sports injuries, including acute care, but sometimes an injury requires immediate care.  

Use your best judgment about seeking emergency treatment, particularly in cases that include: 

• Loss of consciousness 
• Head or neck injuries 
• Sudden, severe, or increasing pain that does not subside with rest or ice 
• Severe bleeding 
• Protruding bones

Most patients recover well after surgery, but sometimes your body may respond differently.  

Call your doctor if you experience any of the following conditions after your surgery: 

• Fever 
• Heavier bleeding than your doctor described 
• Sudden or severe pain at the surgery site 
• Red streaks and/or tender, hot skin near the surgery site 

Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics provides comprehensive care for workers’ compensation cases.  

To make an appointment or ask a question about a workers’ comp case, please call (317) 571-8269. 

Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics accepts most major insurance. Please call the office at (317) 817-1200 to speak to an orthopedic specialist and get answers to your questions.

It is dependent on your insurance plan. A referral may be required - please call our office at (317) 817-1200 if you are unsure and we will be happy to assist you. 

If you are a physician's office referring to Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, you can call or fill out our request an appointment form. 

You’ll need to fill out a release authorization form to obtain a copy of your medical records.  

Orthopedic medicine is concerned with injuries to and the functioning of bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments. Orthopedic specialists are trained in advanced technologies and techniques for treating shoulder, hip, back, neck, knee, foot, ankle, hand, wrist, and elbow pain.  Using preventative care, non-surgical treatments, surgery, and rehabilitative support, orthopedists get you back in the game and back to your life. 

Sports medicine is concerned with the treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise. Whether you get hurt on the field or off, from a sudden injury or chronic pain that develops over time, sports medicine doctors diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions that impact your athletic performance. 

In addition to treatment, sports medicine also seeks to prevent injuries through proper form and correcting small issues before they escalate into major conditions. Specialized therapeutic techniques and equipment can help keep you in peak condition. 

In addition to medical school and residency, our orthopedic doctors receive additional training in a particular orthopedic specialty. By developing expertise in one area, our doctors have more experience, knowledge, and skill in their specialty than a general orthopedic physician. 

Your physical therapist works closely with your doctor to design exercises for your condition and goals. It is important for your recovery that you do these exercises correctly and at the right times. 

During your PT appointment, your physical therapist will go over your treatment plan with you and demonstrate how to do the exercises. However, sometimes it's a lot of information to take in at once! If you have questions once you get home, please call our office at 317-817-1200 and ask to speak to your physical therapist. We're happy to walk you through your plan and answer any questions you might have before your next appointment. 

If your doctor prescribed you a brace or other supportive medical equipment, it is critical that these items fit and you know how to use them properly. One of our specialists will fit you in the office and explain how your equipment is used. 

However, if you need additional help after you get home, please call the office at (317) 817-1200 and ask to speak to a durable medical equipment specialist. 

You may have heard the RICE acronym for treating an injury—Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation—but ice isn’t always the best temperature therapy. 

Use ice for:  

• Sprains 
• Acute or sudden pain 

• An area that is red, inflamed, or swollen 

Wrap ice in a towel, only apply it to the injured area, and never use it for more than 20 minutes at a time. 

Use heat for: 

• Chronic pain 
• Muscle spasms 
• Sore muscles 
• Stiff joints 
• Arthritis pain 

Wrap a heating pad in a towel before applying it, drink plenty of water, and stop if you notice blisters or hives forming. Low heat in the form of low-level heat wraps can be safely used for up to eight hours at a time.