Choosing a Surgeon and Starting Your Doctor-Patient Relationship

Knee replacement surgery has helped millions of people enjoy a better life. But is it right for you? That’s a question that you and your orthopaedic surgeon have to answer together.

The relationship between you and your surgeon is a key factor in success. First, you need to choose a surgeon who inspires your confidence. Then, you need to follow your doctor’s treatment plan.

So how do you go about choosing a surgeon and developing a good relationship? The good news is that it’s easier than ever for patients to find skilled surgeons, close to home.

Ask your family doctor if he or she can recommend a surgeon, or explore the Surgeon Locator section of this web site to find specialists in your area. Once you identify one or more surgeon(s), you can evaluate their credentials. Let’s take a closer look at the types of training and experience required of orthopaedic surgeons.

How Are Surgeons Trained?

Orthopaedic surgeons are medical doctors or osteopaths. After college they attend medical school for four years to receive an MD or DO degree. Following medical school or osteopath school, surgeons must complete a residency in orthopaedics. This is usually a minimum of five years. While in residency, the surgeon learns much more about the bones, joints and muscles of the body. It is here that the orthopaedic surgeon-in-training learns to operate and perfects his or her surgical skills under the guidance of the professors of orthopaedic surgery.

After the residency, the surgeon begins practice. The new surgeon must obtain surgical privileges at the hospitals where surgery will be performed. This requires extensive credentialing by the hospital. The surgeon’s background and training are checked extensively.

What Is Board Certification?

Orthopaedic surgeons are certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons. To become board certified, the surgeon must pass exams that are given two years after entering practice. To maintain board certification, the surgeon must take an additional test every 10 years and prove that he or she has attended a minimum number of hours of continuing education.

What Is Fellowship Training?

Many orthopaedic surgeons choose to specialize even further. This requires even more training in the form of a fellowship. A fellowship usually lasts six to 12 months. During the fellowship, the surgeon works with one or more experts in a specialized field of orthopaedic surgery. This allows the surgeon to become even more experienced in certain areas, such as joint replacement, spinal surgery, hand surgery, children’s orthopaedics or sports medicine, to name a few.

Your Relationship with Your Surgeon

In addition to the clinical credentials, a good surgeon will have good human credentials. That means showing concern for your pain, taking time to hear your concerns and answering your questions fully.

Choosing a surgeon is an important first step in seeking relief from your pain. Thereafter, the success of your treatment depends in large part on how well you use your time with your surgeon. Here are some tips to make the most of every visit:

• Be ready to talk about your relevant medical history. You may want to write down previous treatments you have used, so you don’t forget to mention anything. An injury that occurred decades ago may be relevant, as are prior surgeries and non-surgical treatments like physical therapy and medicines. Your surgeon also needs to know about other medical conditions that could affect surgery.
• Make a list of all the medicines you take, and take copies with you when you go to the doctor. Your list will save you time and assure that your doctor gets all the accurate information. This is especially important for people who take several types of medicine. Your surgeon needs to know about all pills, creams, injections or other forms of medicine that you are taking. Be sure to discuss over-the-counter pills (aspirin, decongestants, etc). And don’t forget about vitamins and nutritional supplements.
• Mention any allergies you may have, even if you’re not asked about it.
• Bring any previous tests such as X-rays, lab tests, etc., to your appointment if you can. This saves a lot of time and duplication and helps your surgeon assess your symptoms.
• Tell the surgeon about your lifestyle, the activities you enjoy, and how osteoarthritis is affecting you physically and emotionally.

• Can knee replacement surgery relieve my pain and stiffness?
• Am I a candidate for knee replacement?
• What type of knee replacement do you use?
• What are the benefits and risks of knee replacement surgery?
• How long does recovery and rehabilitation take after surgery and what can I expect?
• What activities could I participate in after I recover?
• Do you use the knee replacement that can bend and rotate from DePuy, offering more natural movement?

Last Updated: 12/13/2006