The 2022 American Joint Replacement Registry Annual Report compiled 2.8 million hip and knee procedures across all 50 states. It’s an increase of 14% from the previous year.
Joint replacements are one of the most common surgical procedures in the world. They’re also a common specialization. That leaves patients with many options for doctors to perform their procedures.
Read on to learn about what to look for when choosing a hip replacement surgeon.
Recommendations and Referrals
Ask for a referral from your primary care doctor or rheumatologist. They’ll have a list of surgeons they know have preferable outcomes with past patients. Years of working with you also lets them know who to recommend based on your:
- Personality
- Unique needs
- Insurance coverage
You can also ask another group who knows you well; your friends and family. They may have undergone similar surgeries.
Qualifications and Experience
Find out what procedures the surgeon has done before. An accomplished ACL surgeon who’s never worked on hips still isn’t the right fit.
There are also many different specializations an orthopedic surgeon may choose. These include:
- Adult joint reconstruction
- Pediatric orthopedics
- Musculoskeletal oncology
- Orthopedic trauma
- Sports medicine
Find out what the physician specializes in. You don’t want a foot and ankle specialist to work on your hip.
There are also two higher levels of certification a surgeon can get. They include board certification and fellowship training.
Board Certification
Becoming board-certified means taking extra steps after finishing orthopedic surgery training. It’s a rigorous process involving years of extra training and a stringent exam.
The program is meant to keep them up to date on the latest techniques. Most hospitals require it before hiring them.
It’s simple to check if a surgeon is board-certified. Visit the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery. It has a full list of doctors who trained under the DO or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program. You can also go to certifcationmatters.org or call (866) ASK-ABMS or further confirmation.
Fellowship Training
Being fellowship trained is a higher level of certification.
Once the surgeon completes their initial training, they spend an additional year in their area of specialization. This gives them even more experience in that area.
It also makes them a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. You can use the AAHKS Doctor Finder to see if they’re a member of this exclusive club.
Research and Read Reviews
The website of the hip replacement surgeon or the hospital they work for is a useful place to start your research.
The quality of information they provide varies. Search for information such as:
- Procedures the surgeon’s performed
- Conditions they treat
- How long they’ve been in practice
- Where they completed their training
- Any awards or honors they’ve won
- Insurance carriers they accept
- Biographies
According to HealthGrades, almost 75% of patients begin their search for a physician by looking for reviews. A ratings website lets you narrow your search by learning what past patients have to say about them.
Not all of these sites are created equal. Reviews can be manipulated and falsified. The best hip surgeons monitor these sites and request reviews from patients.
Hospital Affiliation and Location
Hip replacement surgery can be a grueling procedure. The last thing you need while you’re recovering is a long and bumpy car trip.
Find a surgeon who works close to you. It’ll save you money and time on pre and post-operative appointments.
Research the quality of the hospital they work with the same way you researched them. It makes your procedure smoother and reduces the risk of complications. Look into its:
- Reputation
- Safety ratings
- Available resources
If you already have a preferred hospital, try to find a hip surgeon who works there. Having one with multiple hospital affiliations is even better because it opens up more options for you.
Continual Education
Forward-thinking is as important as experience in surgery. Look for surgeons that keep up with the many recent advancements in orthopedic surgery. Knee specialists are noticing a 13% increase in robotics in their procedures. One day, that increase could also appear in hip surgeries.
Keeping up with these advancements shows a dedication to continual learning. It also shows a focus on improving patient outcomes.
Meet Your Options in Person
Make a list of and schedule consultations with the top orthopedic surgeons on your list.
Take a look at their office. Make sure that it’s clean and orderly. See how the office staff interact with you and answer your questions.
Meet with the surgeon face to face. It’s your first chance to learn how they interact with their staff. More importantly, it indicates how they’ll interact with you. It gives you a sense of their:
- Treatment ideology
- Communication style
- Bedside manner
- Friendliness and helpfulness
Questions to Ask a Hip Replacement Surgeon
The consultation is also the best time to ask your hip doctor questions.
Describe the pain you’ve been having. Ask them how it would affect you if you waited to see the doctor.
Ask what treatment options they recommend. Would any lifestyle changes at home help the pain? Are there any noninvasive procedures to try before surgery?
When you decide on a treatment option, ask for more details. How many appointments will it require? What are the risks involved?
Ask about what your recovery will be like. Will I be able to walk? Is there anything you won’t be able to do, and for how long? Will you have to go to physical therapy, and how often? Will you need to take any medications?
Be cautious of a hip replacement surgeon who can’t or won’t take the time to answer these questions. It hints at a poor bedside manner, lack of experience, or both.
Book An Appointment With a Hip Replacement Surgeon
Finding a hip replacement surgeon involves careful research into their reputation and qualifications. It then requires on-site consultations where you ask the right questions.
Elite Sports Medicien + Orthopedics provides every patient with a VIP experience. Our team of fellowship-trained orthopedics provides specialized care for a range of musculoskeletal ailments. We offer on-site diagnostics and treatment, eliminating the need to travel for care. Book a consultation online.
Author: writers-amwn
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