Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
How can I make an appointment?
Where are you located?
How do I contact your billing office?
Do you accept my insurance?
Where do I park?
Are banking gacilities available?
Is airport assistance available?
What hotels are in the area?
How can I find one of your physicians?
General Orthopedic Questions
What is a joint?
Is there more than one kind of joint?
What are the types of synovial joint motion?
What do joints do?
Why do bones wear out?
How do bones grow?
Arthritis Questions
What is arthritis?
Is there more than one kind of arthritis?
What is osteoarthritis?
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Do only old people get arthritis?
How does arthritis progress over time?
The Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine accepts most major insurance plans. We also accept patients who have out-of-network benefits. We have an insurance verifications department that would be happy to discuss your benefits and your out-of-network responsibilities. Please call 713-986-6000 to speak with a verification specialist.
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Parking for Baylor Clinic is located on the lower levels of the Clinic building at 6620 Main St. The entrance to the parking garage is located on the southwest side of the building. To access the parking garage, turn off South Main St. onto Southgate Blvd.and turn right into the parking garage.
Baylor Clinic also offers valet parking and a concierge to provide assistance.
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Are banking facilities available?
Banking facilities in the area include, but are not limited to:
Southwest Bank of Texas
6602 Fannin, Suite 112
Houston, TX 77030
713-235-8800
Wells Fargo
6631 Main St.
Houston, TX 77030
713-791-5900
Chase Bank
6560 Fannin
Houston, TX 77030
713-795-7312
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Is airport assistance available?
Out-of-town patients visiting the Texas Medical Center campus can take advantage of services offered by both Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport. This service is sponsored by the City of Houston's Department of Aviation and various Texas Medical Center institutions.
Multilingual receptionists are available to greet arriving patients and help them at either airport with baggage collection, transportation, and hotel accommodations. International patients can also receive assistance with immigration procedures and currency exchange.
For more information, contact the patient relations office of your hospital:
The Methodist Hospital:
713-394-6000
St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital:
713-832-855
Diagnostic Center
713-790-0790
Shriners Hospital for Children:
713-797-1616
Texas Children's Hospital:
832-924-1000
TIRR (The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research):
713-799-5000
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Many fine accommodations may be found near the Texas Medical Center campus. Availability includes, but is not limited to:
Houston Marriott Medical Center
6580 Fannin
Houston, TX 77030
800-228-9290
Crowne Plaza Medical Center
6701 South Main St.
Houston, TX 77030
713-797-1110
Hilton Houston Plaza/Medical Center
6633 Travis St.
Houston, TX 77030
713-313-4000
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What is a joint?
A joint is the junction of two or more bones (an articulating hinge), whether movable or not. Examples include the knee joints, the shoulder or elbow joints, as well as the hip joints.
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Is there more than one kind of joint?
Yes, there are three types of joint found in your body.
The first type is called a FIBROUS joint. These allow minimal movement. The best example of this type of joint is the bones of the skull.
The second type is called a CARTILAGINOUS joint. Also known as disc joints, they are found between the vertebrae of the spine.
The third type is called a SYNOVIAL joint. These types comprise what we normally think of as joints. They are found in the upper and lower extremities. The joining ends of bone are covered by cartilage, which is contained in a tissue capsule. The inner lining of the capsule has a synovial membrane made up of cells that produce a fluid that lubricates the joint.
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What are the types of synovial joint motion?
There are six kinds of synovial joint motion (ball and socket, hinge, saddle, ellipsoidal, gliding and pivot).
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Joints allow bones to move relative to each other, and keep the ends of the bones properly aligned. This allows us to bend our knees, wrists, and digits.
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Bones change with age. They become less elastic and more brittle. The joints between bones may become rough as the cartilage wears out.
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Long bones, like those in your legs and arms, increase in length from growth plates at the end. Bone growth stops when you become an adult.
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Arthritis is exhibited by joint swelling, pain, and loss of motion.
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Is there more than one kind of arthritis?
There are more than 100 kinds of disease that can cause arthritis.
The most common forms of arthritis are:
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Gout
Less common forms are referred to as psoriatic and septic arthritis.
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Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease. It is caused by injury or years of use. It results when the smooth cartilage between the bone joints wear out or is damaged by injury or disease.
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Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by inflammation of the lining of the joints. It tends to be present for many years.
Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects many joints and can lead to damage of cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and bone. This may cause deformity of the joints.
We do not yet understand the cause of rheumatoid arthritis as it varies from person to person.
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Do only old people get arthritis?
No. Although osteoarthritis can be found in young adults, it usually becomes more of a problem with age. Rheumatoid arthritis may affect young and old people.
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How does arthritis progress over time?
Arthritis can become worse over time as cartilage wears away and bones grind against each other during joint movements.