Orthopedic care is a sequence of visits. Language support has to cover the front desk, the exam, the procedure, and the weeks after.
New-patient registration, insurance questions, and the reason for the visit happen before anyone is in the exam room. In a multi-site practice, the same languages often show up in more than one clinic. Plan coverage for each location, not only the busiest office.
Surgical consent, injections, imaging, and pre-operative instructions need time for questions. The interpreter is there so the patient can ask them. The surgeon still owns the recommendation.
Same-day surgery and clinic discharge cover activity limits, wound care, medications, and who to call. Written instructions can be translated. The live conversation still needs an interpreter.
Post-operative visits and physical therapy are where the plan changes. On-site interpreting fits scheduled visits. Remote interpreting can cover shorter check-ins when that is how the clinic works.