What to expect at your child’s first hand appointment
If you’ve booked a first appointment about your child’s hand, you may be carrying a lot of questions, and quite a few feelings too. This short guide is here to take some of the unknown out of that first visit.
Before you come
There’s very little you need to do. If you have them to hand, it can help to bring any letters or scans from your GP or hospital, and a list of anything you’ve noticed, when you first saw it, whether it’s changed, and anything your child finds tricky. There are no wrong observations. {{CONFIRM with Holly}}
During the appointment
The first appointment is mostly a conversation. I’ll gently examine your child’s hand, nothing uncomfortable, and we’ll talk through what I find in plain language. You’ll never be rushed, and no question is too small or “silly.” If your child is old enough, I’ll talk with them too.
Questions worth asking
- What exactly is this difference, in everyday words?
- What are the options, including doing nothing for now?
- If treatment is suggested, what does it involve, and when?
- What can we expect afterwards?
Leaving with a plan
You should leave understanding what’s happening and what comes next, whether that’s a plan for treatment, a period of watchful waiting, or simple reassurance. And if more questions come to you on the drive home (they always do), my team is only a phone call away.