If you’re dealing with debilitating joint pain or a severe joint injury, you understand how much it affects your daily life. If you’ve tried non-surgical treatment methods without success, surgery may be your only option. While you may be apprehensive about undergoing surgery, joint replacements and other othopaedic surgeries have been perfected over the years and are very commonplace today.

Finding a reputable surgeon that you can trust with your health is a crucial element of the surgery process. Keep reading to learn how to find an educated, reliable surgeon who will perform your surgery properly and get you back on the road to recovery as soon as possible.

Ask Your Neighbors

You’ll want to find an orthopaedic surgeon near your house so you don’t have to go very far for evaluations and the actual surgery. Find out from friends, family, and neighbors if they can recommend any great orthopaedic surgeons they’re familiar with in the area. Or, browse the Internet to read reviews that other patients have written about their experiences.

Browse the Facility

Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few reputable surgeons and practices, visit their offices and tour the facility. It’s important to meet the staff to determine whether they’re friendly and helpful. It’s also a good idea to take a look at the equipment. You don’t want to choose a practice with old equipment that isn’t up to date and doesn’t look safe.

Meet the Surgeon

Although surgeons have busy schedules, they are happy to meet with potential patients. Call the practice to schedule an appointment to meet the surgeon. It’s crucial that you’re comfortable with the surgeon you will be trusting with your health.

During your meeting, there are a few key questions that you should ask the surgeon to ensure they are the best person to perform your surgery.

• Do you think my injury could be treated without surgery? You want to be sure that surgery is absolutely necessary before going under the knife. Be sure to look into other non-surgical treatment options the surgeon believes you should explore before scheduling any surgery.
• How many times have you performed joint replacement surgery in the past three years and what were the outcomes? Finding out how many times the surgeon has performed joint replacement surgery will help you understand how experienced they are. If you’re not happy with the amount of times he or she has done the surgery, you should look elsewhere. Also, learning the outcomes of the surgeries they performed will tell you how successful or unsuccessful they have been.
• What will recovery be like? Find out about the type of recovery you’ll face after joint replacement surgery. It typically varies between joints, but hearing specific information from the surgeon will help you understand exactly what you’ll need to prepare for.

When you’re dealing with persistent joint pain and non-surgical methods haven’t helped you, joint replacement surgery is an effective way to relieve your pain. For more information on finding the right orthopaedic surgeon for you, download our e-book, How to Find an Orthopaedic Surgeon.