How to Find the Right Orthopedic Surgeon

Your physician just told you that you will need orthopedic surgery? now what? Trying to find the right orthopedic surgeon for you can be overwhelming and frustrating. How do you choose? Where do you even start?

A good place to start when looking for an orthopedic surgeon is asking for referrals from current doctors, friends, and family. Does your current physician have a suggestion? Did one of your friends have a similar surgery?

Check with your healthcare insurance provider to find out which orthopedic surgeons your plan will cover to reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Once you find a surgeon you?re interested in, make sure you review their background. Where did they go to school? How long have they been a certified surgeon? Where have they worked before? What type of orthopedics do they specialize in? Check reviews and any other information you can find to ensure they are the best surgeon for you.

Meet with any surgeons you are considering. You want to make sure you?re comfortable with the surgeon you choose. If you meet with them and they rush through the meeting and blow off your questions, you might want to consider going with someone else. It?s important to have a surgeon you can communicate with.

Some questions you might want to ask the surgeons you meet with are:

• what is their success rate?
• what is their experience with orthopedics similar to yours?
• what would be the different options for your procedure?
• what are the risks of the procedure?
• what is the location and cost of the surgery?

Once you?ve narrowed it down to a few surgeons, trust your instincts. Which surgeon made you feel the most at ease? Which one really took the time to make sure all of your questions and concerned were addressed? In the end, it?s up to you to decide, so go with whoever you think would be best. You can always get a second opinion from a different clinic or physician as well to ease your concerns.

So before making your final decision about which orthopedic surgeon to use for your surgery, do your research, meet with the surgeons in person, don?t be afraid to ask questions, and take your time to ensure you have the best surgeon for your needs.