Please come in and make yourself at home. Welcome to The Stone Clinic!

An initial visit to The Stone Clinic is unlike any doctor's office visit you have ever experienced. Underneath one roof and in one visit you can get more information regarding your injury than you may have ever thought possible.

Your first stop is the front desk where Liz will cheerfully greet you and request that you complete patient, injury, and financial information forms, but it is preferred if you have filled them out after accessing them online. Also requested of our first-time or new injury "knee" patients are a few important research forms that will enable us to track your progress. You may check out our website on the lobby computer--lots of information on Dr. Stone, The Stone Clinic, The Stone Foundation for Sports Medicine and Arthritis Research, some of the surgical procedures Dr. Stone is performing, rehabilitation protocols, and much, much more. You can check your other favorite websites as well. Changing rooms and lockers are provided for your convenience.

Ann Walgenbach, RNNP, the clinic's nurse practitioner, is Dr. Stone's surgical assistant and she has worked with Dr. Stone for over thirteen years. Ann will obtain a detailed health and injury history, take measurements for knee injuries, and if required, digital x-rays will be taken. Dr. Stone will then discuss your injury with you, review your previous medical information and current films, and perform a thorough examination. Together you will discuss your diagnosis as well as your options.

We have an in-office extremity MRI machine if further diagnostic studies are required. This machine can take high-resolution images anywhere from the elbow to the fingertips and the knee to the toes. Mark Coleman, CRT(R), is our X-Ray and MRI technician, and he has worked with Dr. Stone for over eleven years. Mark is very experienced in obtaining the exact views that Dr. Stone requires to accurately diagnose your injury or condition. The MRI scan takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. Believe it or not, you sit in the comfort of a reclining chair and are free to read or even eat your lunch! When the scan is completed, Dr. Stone will sit with you at the MRI and visually show you first-hand exactly what is going on via a high-resolution video monitor. The images are then tele-radiologied to John V. Crues, III, M.D. for an instant second-opinion reading. Dr. Crues is a world-renowned radiologist specializing in MRI readings.

Most injuries can be managed non-operatively with a carefully executed rehabilitation program. If Dr. Stone feels a surgical procedure would be beneficial, he will review with you the procedure in detail.

The next stop on your tour of The Stone Clinic includes a visit to our unequaled Rehabilitation Department. Laura Keller, MPT, Caroline Palmer, MSPT, Marc Lum, MPT, Susanne DeCosterd, MPT, Devin Wu, MSPT, and Linda Little Croteau, PT, specializing in strength and conditioning, have taken our Rehabilitation Department to extraordinary heights of expertise and are committed to our patients and their complete recovery. Our goal is to return you fitter, faster, and stronger than you were before your injury. The team will outline for you expectations regarding use of crutches and braces, activities of daily living, return to work, exercise, competition, and rehabilitation visits.

If you are a surgical candidate, the next step includes a visit to Sharon's desk. Here, she will review the risks and benefits associated with the proposed surgical procedure that Dr. Stone discussed and assist you with financial issues. All fees, methods of payment, and insurance information will be given to you along with the CPT billing codes. Sharon will assist you in billing your insurance company.

"Don't eat anything after midnight."
"You must leave the surgery center with someone you know."
"Are you allergic to any medications?"

These are only a few of the pre-op and post-op medical instructions that will be given prior to surgery. Lola Ramirez, LVN, will discuss with you possible surgery dates and pre-op physical requirements. She will address any other "special situations" that need to be considered.

Finally, Dr. Stone is always available before you leave to discuss any additional questions that may have been raised during your discussions with the team. One last stop at the front desk to check out, make appointments if needed, and turn in questionnaires.

Wow, what a workout!! At first, your visit may seem a bit overwhelming; however, it is our goal to provide our patients with more information and education regarding their injury or illness than they have ever received before. Hope you enjoyed your stay and we look forward to working with you!