Choosing an Orthopedic Surgeon
From your initial consultation to your last day of physical therapy, your orthopedic surgeon and their team are with you every step of the way.
If you are considering orthopedic surgery, such as a total knee or shoulder replacement, chances are your primary care provider gave you their recommendation on what surgeon you should go to. However, you can also get outside referrals and look at a provider’s credentials, training, and expertise before making your decision.
Outside Referrals
Referrals from your primary care provider can be useful when choosing an orthopedic surgeon, however you have the freedom to research other providers and make your own decision.
You may also get referrals, or patient testimonials, from your friends, family, community members, or coworkers if they have had an orthopedic surgery in the past.
Other locations to look for referrals and reviews include Google, Healthgrades, WebMD, and the provider’s profile on their clinic’s website.
Credentials, Training, and Expertise
In addition to medical school, many surgeons will have training, certifications, or fellowships that can make them stand apart from others in their field. When you meet with a surgeon during a consultation, you can ask them about their training to get a better understanding of how it helped them prepare for their position.
It can also be helpful to see if there are certain procedures that an orthopedic surgeon specializes in, and how long they have been practicing with that specialty. Some providers specialize in foot and ankle, or hand, wrist and elbow care, while others may specialize in knee, hip and shoulder care.
Questions to Ask
During your initial consultations, you will be able to ask the surgeon and their team questions about your treatment and bring up any concerns you may have. Knowing what questions to ask can be challenging, here are some examples:
- Can you go home the same day as the surgery? If needed, can you stay at the hospital overnight?
- How long is the wait for surgery if needed?
- How long is recovery?
- Do you recommend a specific physical therapist?
- Do you have outreach locations? Do you see patients at them for follow-ups?
- How long have you been working in this specialty?
- How long does the surgery take?
- How do you involve patients in treatment decisions?
- What treatment options do you offer?
Other Things to Consider
- How well are things explained?
- What type of personality does the surgeon have?
- Is the surgeon responsive to questions or messages?
- How do you feel about the nurses and support staff you met?
- Are the clinical spaces clean and comfortable?
- Is the office easily accessible?
- Is it easy to schedule an appointment?
Meet Our Physicians
Our orthopedic surgeons are dedicated to offering you safe, effective care. Learn more about them on their provider profiles below.