Orthopedic independent medical examinations (IMEs) provide objective evaluation of musculoskeletal conditions, including injuries affecting the bones, joints, ligaments, and spine. These evaluations are commonly used in workers’ compensation and personal injury cases to assess diagnosis, causation, treatment, and functional impact.
Merit Medical Evaluations partners with board-certified orthopedic specialists to deliver clear, evidence-based medical opinions for a wide range of injury-related conditions.
Request an Orthopedic Exam
Orthopedic Physicians –
Dr. Ian Crabb – General Orthopedist
Dr. Ed Fehringer – Upper Extremity
Dr. Dan Firestone – Upper Extremity
Dr. Jonathan Fuller – Spinal
Dr. Beau Konigsberg – Lower Extremity
Dr. Geoff McCullen – Spinal
Dr. Randy Woodward – Spinal
What an Orthopedic IME Evaluates
Orthopedic IMEs focus on injuries and conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, including both acute trauma and chronic conditions.
Common areas of evaluation include:
- Joint injuries and degenerative conditions
- Ligament and tendon injuries
- Fractures and post-traumatic conditions
- Soft tissue injuries
- Chronic musculoskeletal pain
- Functional limitations and physical capacity
- Treatment appropriateness and surgical necessity
- Recovery timelines and long-term outcomes
Areas of Focus
-
Upper Extremity Conditions
Upper extremity evaluations focus on injuries affecting the shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, and hand.
Common conditions include:
- Rotator cuff injuries and shoulder disorders
- Elbow injuries and tendonitis
- Wrist and hand injuries
- Nerve compression conditions (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome)
- Repetitive use injuries
- Functional limitations affecting lifting, reaching, or dexterity
-
Lower Extremity Conditions
Lower extremity evaluations focus on injuries affecting the hip, knee, leg, ankle, and foot.
Common conditions include:
- Knee injuries (ligament tears, meniscus injuries)
- Hip disorders and joint degeneration
- Ankle sprains and instability
- Foot injuries and structural conditions
- Gait abnormalities and weight-bearing limitations
- Functional limitations affecting walking, standing, or mobility
-
Spine and Back Conditions
Orthopedic IMEs frequently involve evaluation of spinal conditions affecting the neck and back.
Common conditions include:
- Cervical and lumbar spine injuries
- Herniated discs and degenerative disc disease
- Radiculopathy and nerve involvement
- Chronic neck and back pain
- Post-surgical outcomes and spinal procedures
- Functional limitations related to spine conditions
Upper extremity evaluations focus on injuries affecting the shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, and hand.
Common conditions include:
- Rotator cuff injuries and shoulder disorders
- Elbow injuries and tendonitis
- Wrist and hand injuries
- Nerve compression conditions (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome)
- Repetitive use injuries
- Functional limitations affecting lifting, reaching, or dexterity
Lower extremity evaluations focus on injuries affecting the hip, knee, leg, ankle, and foot.
Common conditions include:
- Knee injuries (ligament tears, meniscus injuries)
- Hip disorders and joint degeneration
- Ankle sprains and instability
- Foot injuries and structural conditions
- Gait abnormalities and weight-bearing limitations
- Functional limitations affecting walking, standing, or mobility
Orthopedic IMEs frequently involve evaluation of spinal conditions affecting the neck and back.
Common conditions include:
- Cervical and lumbar spine injuries
- Herniated discs and degenerative disc disease
- Radiculopathy and nerve involvement
- Chronic neck and back pain
- Post-surgical outcomes and spinal procedures
- Functional limitations related to spine conditions
When to Request an Orthopedic IME
An orthopedic specialist is typically requested when a case involves musculoskeletal injury, joint dysfunction, or spine-related conditions.
Orthopedic IMEs are commonly used when:
- There are questions about whether an injury is work-related
- Treatment plans or surgical recommendations need evaluation
- Recovery timelines or maximum medical improvement are in question
- Functional capacity or work restrictions must be determined
- There are concerns about ongoing pain or disability
- The relationship between injury and symptoms requires clarification
Key Considerations in Orthopedic IMEs
Orthopedic cases often involve both objective findings and subjective symptoms such as pain or limited mobility. Accurate evaluation requires careful review of imaging, physical examination findings, and treatment history.
Orthopedic IMEs provide a structured, evidence-based approach to determining injury severity, treatment appropriateness, and long-term functional impact.
Medical Record Review in Orthopedic Cases
Medical record reviews are essential in orthopedic cases, particularly when evaluating imaging studies, surgical reports, and treatment progression. These reviews help clarify timelines, assess care decisions, and support objective conclusions.
These reviews are particularly useful when an in-person examination is not necessary or when additional medical insight is needed to support case decisions.
Objective, Evidence-Based Evaluations
Orthopedic IMEs are designed to provide unbiased medical opinions based on clinical evidence and specialist expertise. These evaluations help attorneys, insurers, and case managers better understand musculoskeletal injuries and make informed decisions.
Merit Medical Evaluations ensures that each case is reviewed by the appropriate specialist and supported by a structured, efficient process from start to finish.
Serving clients across Omaha, Nebraska, Iowa, and the Midwest.