Considering A Hip Or Knee Replacement? Choose The Surgeon That’s Right For You

Posted on

Nov 15, 2019

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The decision to undergo any surgical procedure is one to be taken seriously, and patients should take time to be well-informed when committing to a procedure and choosing a surgeon. If youve been considering joint replacement surgery, seeking an experienced surgeon and asking lots of questions is a great way to get started.
There is good evidence that experience of the surgeon correlates with the outcome in joint replacement surgery.
If you are a candidate for hip or knee replacement, look for a surgeon who is experienced (fellowship-trained) to minimize risks and complications. The surgeon should not only be able to perform primary hip or knee replacement, but also complex revision hip or knee replacement.
New techniques should only be performed by surgeons who have special training in the instruments and approach. Most important, the surgeon performing the technique should not just be a good orthopedic surgeon, but a specialist in joint replacement surgery.
When evaluating providers, ask your surgeon: 1) Do you have fellowship training (a year of additional training, beyond the 5 years required to become an orthopedic surgeon) in joint replacement surgery? 2) How many hip and/or knee replacements do you do each year? 3) If you do direct anterior hip replacement, how many have you done? 4) Do you perform revision surgery on joint replacements? 5) Do you teach other surgeons how to do hip and/or knee replacements?
You can find plenty of background information online regarding the surgeons youre considering, including their bio, board certifications, and years in practice. Caring, qualified professionals will be glad to answer these questions and provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision, so dont hesitate! Do your research, ask questions and take an active and informed role in your orthopedic care.
Editors Note: This article was submitted by Jason Weisstein, MD, MPH, FACS an Orthopedic surgeon who specializes in joint replacement and reconstruction. Dr. Weisstein is the only fellowship trained orthopedic oncologist in Southern Colorado. He may be reached at Colorado Center of Orthopaedic Excellence 719-623-1050.

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