You have an upcoming sports medicine appointment and want to know how the consultation will unfold? This page walks through, step by step, what happens during a first sports medicine visit in Quebec — without detailing sports medicine pricing, which is documented separately.

Before the Visit: What to Bring

A small amount of preparation helps make the most of the first visit. If available, bring:

Your prior imaging reports (X-rays, MRI, ultrasound), on CD or in digital form.
An up-to-date medication list, including anti-inflammatories, anticoagulants, and supplements.
A clear description of your sport (frequency, intensity, repetitive movements) or of your workstation (loads handled, constrained postures).
Any referral letter from another healthcare professional, if applicable.
Clothing that allows examination of the relevant area (shorts for knee/ankle, tank top for shoulder, etc.).

Duration and Overall Flow

A first sports medicine visit typically runs 45 to 60 minutes. Time is divided into five clearly identified blocks, allowing a complete assessment without rushing the patient:

Welcome and chart review (5 min) — confirmation of the reason for the visit, pertinent history, consent.
Focused history (10-15 min) — targeted questions on the complaint, history, and mechanical profile.
Targeted physical exam (10-15 min) — palpation, joint and ligament testing, range of motion, strength, functional analysis.
Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound (10-15 min) — real-time visualization of the structures, performed in the office.
Discussion of diagnosis and treatment plan (10 min) — explanation of findings, treatment options, expected milestones.

Focused History

The doctor asks targeted questions that go beyond a simple "where does it hurt" to understand the mechanical profile of the problem:

The primary complaint and its evolution since symptom onset (sudden vs progressive onset, injury context vs spontaneous).
Aggravating and relieving factors — movements, postures, time of day, after exercise vs at rest.
Pertinent history — previous injuries to the same site, surgeries, comorbidities (diabetes, rheumatologic conditions).
The desired activity level — full return to competition, full return to work, active lifestyle maintenance.
Return-to-activity goals and the realistic timelines attached to them.

Hierarchized Physical Exam

The exam follows a structured logic that starts with the most probable structures and progresses toward differential diagnoses:

Inspection and palpation — signs of inflammation, deformities, precise tender points, comparison with the contralateral side.
Joint and ligament testing — tensioning of ligamentous structures, laxity assessment, joint-specific maneuvers.
Range-of-motion assessment — active and passive range measurements, identification of blocks or functional limits.
Strength testing — resisted testing, identification of deficits compared with the healthy side.
Gait or movement analysis — functional observation of the sporting gesture or workstation task when pertinent.

Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

During the same visit, the doctor performs a diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound right in the office. This step allows the physician to:

Visualize in real time the tendons, ligaments, muscles, bursae, and nerves of the area.
Confirm or exclude the diagnosis suggested by the clinical exam.
Evaluate the pathology in motion (for example: a tendon gliding on flexion, a nerve compressed by a specific maneuver).
Identify the exact target for any eventual injection, which maximizes procedural accuracy if an injection is indicated.

Discussion of Diagnosis and Treatment Plan

Once the exam is complete, the doctor explains the findings in accessible language and proposes an individualized treatment plan:

Summary of the retained diagnosis and the differentials that have been excluded.
Treatment options discussed — physiotherapy, home exercise program, medications, ultrasound-guided injections, progressive return-to-activity modality.
Expected milestones — return-to-activity timeline, progression steps, return criteria.
Follow-up schedule — typical control visit at 6-8 weeks, or sooner if the situation requires it.

Injections at the First Visit (When Medically Indicated)

If an injection is medically indicated at the end of the assessment and you consent to the procedure, it can generally be performed during the same visit, under ultrasound guidance. The decision is shared: the doctor explains the indication, expected benefits, alternatives, and risks; the procedure is performed only after your explicit agreement. This page does not cover Pricing — see the full pricing page for cost details by act.

Fees and Receipts

The consultation is provided in private practice, without Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) coverage for specialized sports medicine acts. Fees are detailed on the sports medicine pricing page — this page focuses on the clinical flow.

For each visit, a detailed official receipt is issued, with act codes and a description of the services rendered. Most supplemental insurance plans reimburse a portion of the fees (often 50 to 80%) under paramedical care, complementary health care, or specialist medicine categories. Check your annual coverage, applicable reimbursement percentage, and whether a prior referral is required to maximize your reimbursement.

Our Clinics

Our two sports medicine clinics deliver the same standard of diagnostic evaluation and patient care. You choose based on your place of residence and appointment availability.

Clinique Sport Santé Laurentides — Saint-Sauveur

Clinique Sport Santé Laurentides is located at 26, avenue Lafleur Sud in Saint-Sauveur, in the heart of the Laurentians. It serves Saint-Sauveur, Sainte-Adèle, Morin-Heights, Piedmont, Prévost, Sainte-Anne-des-Lacs, Saint-Jérôme, Mont-Tremblant, Lachute, and the greater Laurentian sector. On-site parking, easy access by car.

Clinique Médecine Sportive Avenir — Laval

Clinique Médecine Sportive Avenir is located at 1545, boulevard de l'Avenir #300 in Laval. It serves Laval, the North Shore (Boisbriand, Blainville, Rosemère, Lorraine, Bois-des-Filion), and northern Montréal. Accessible by public transit and with parking nearby.

Follow-Up After the First Visit

A control visit is typically scheduled at 6-8 weeks, depending on the pathology and clinical response. This follow-up visit allows the doctor to evaluate response to the initial plan, adjust recommendations, and plan the next step (progressive return to activity, additional investigation, additional injection, etc.). Follow-up is included in the care pathway and is billed as a distinct act on its own receipt, just like the initial consultation.

FAQ — First Sports Medicine Visit

How long does a first sports medicine visit last?

A first sports medicine visit typically runs 45 to 60 minutes. This duration covers the focused history, the physical exam, the diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound, and discussion of the treatment plan without rushing the patient. Follow-up visits are shorter (15-30 min), centered on clinical evolution.

Do I need a referral from another doctor?

No, a referral is not required to consult in private sports medicine practice in Quebec. You can book directly with the clinic of your choice. If you have been seen by another professional (family physician, physiotherapist, emergency physician) and a referral letter or imaging report was produced, bring them — these documents speed up the assessment and enrich the chart.

Can I receive an injection at the first visit?

Yes, if the indication is established at the end of the assessment and you consent to the procedure. The decision is shared: the doctor explains the indication, expected benefits, alternatives, and risks, and the procedure is performed only after your explicit agreement. The injection is then done under ultrasound guidance within the same visit. For pricing details, see the pricing page.

Does my private insurance reimburse the first visit?

The specialized sports medicine consultation is generally not covered by the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). However, most supplemental insurance plans reimburse a portion of the fees (often 50 to 80%) upon presentation of the official receipt. Check your annual coverage, applicable percentage, and whether a prior referral is required. See the pricing page for a detailed cost breakdown per act.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The flow described reflects standard practice in sports medicine in Quebec and may vary depending on the clinical situation, pathology, and clinic chosen. The information presented does not replace an individual professional evaluation. Consult a qualified physician to assess your situation.

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First Sports Medicine Visit: What to Expect