Choosing the Right Surgeon for Your Joint Replacement Surgery

by Kevin Smith Author

Joint replacement surgeries are more common now than they ever have been. Thanks to improvements in artificial joint components, refined surgical techniques, and more widespread training for surgeons performing procedures, having a joint replacement surgery is not the major undertaking it once was.

Despite the rising popularity of joint replacement procedures, it’s still important that you find the right surgeon for the job when planning the procedure. Not every surgeon is a match for your condition, needs, or preference. Therefore, it’s important to conduct a duly diligent search for joint replacement specialists in Jacksonville, FL, before undertaking a major joint surgery. Read on for a few tips that you can observe when seeking a reputable joint replacement surgeon in your area.

Check Surgeon Stats

Statistics regarding surgeon success rates were once hard to come by. Fortunately, now anyone who is considering joint replacement surgery can find online statistics mandated by Medicare that provide some important data points regarding surgery success rates. Search for the “surgeon scorecard” for doctors you’re considering by using your favorite search engine. There, you can find the complication rates and case loads for the doctors you may choose. Compare that data, as it can be enlightening. If a surgeon has a high case load with low complication rate, that is a positive sign of surgical competence. If a surgeon has a low number of cases and high complication rate, that can be a sign of trouble.

Recommendations and Referrals

A great starting point when searching for a joint replacement surgeon is your circle of acquaintances and your personal care team. Your friends and family may have had experiences with orthopedic surgeons in your area, and they can attest to their competence and bedside manner. You may even learn details about a surgeon’s practice that otherwise would have been inaccessible. Also, your general practitioner, physical therapist, or another member of your primary care team may be able to give you a referral to a surgeon that they trust.

Insurance Considerations

Another critical factor in your decision is whether a surgeon is in your insurance coverage network. Joint replacement surgeries are expensive, and insurance coverage is an important concern. If your insurer won’t cover procedures performed by an out-of-network surgeon, then you should keep looking to minimize the out-of-pocket cost you will incur from the procedure.

Be Logical, Not Emotional

While you may like one surgeon’s personality or bedside manner better than another, it doesn’t mean that you should choose the more affable option. You employ a surgeon to perform surgery. Therefore, you want the best surgeon for your condition, even if that surgeon’s personality is not completely compatible with yours. The results are what matters, so stay focused on factors that indicate you’ll get the outcome you want. After all, you’ll have to live with the surgeon’s work long after the surgery is over.

If you’re looking for joint replacement specialists in Jacksonville, FL, remember to use available online research tools, get recommendations and referrals from trusted parties, check for insurance compatibility, and focus on results. By doing so, you can find the best surgeon to perform your joint replacement surgery.