When thinking about having a hip replaced, choosing a surgeon is one of the most important decisions a patient will make. Long-term outcomes and a patient's ability to recover can be affected by the skill and experience of a surgeon like one from Oxford Ortho.
What considerations should patients make when choosing an orthopedic surgeon for a hip replacement?
- The surgeon's credentials should be checked
There are a few ways to verify a doctor's credentials before scheduling an appointment. The following information ought to be available online:
Getting your medical license
The state medical board of each state in the US requires certification of all medical doctors. Some states provide online resources so that people can look up a doctor's credentials. The Federation of State Medical Boards' DocInfo.org website is another way to check a doctor's credentials.
Education in fellowships
A physician who has finished a fellowship in hip replacement surgery has been trained to do the treatment under the guidance of a highly qualified orthopedic surgeon. Fellowships in hip replacement surgery are also known as hip surgery, total joint reconstruction, or orthopedic adult reconstruction.
- Prioritize the training of surgeons
Research suggests that choosing a skilled surgeon increases the likelihood of a successful hip replacement procedure.
A study that examined data from over 20,000 surgeries, for instance, found that surgeons with greater experience were half as likely to require a second hip replacement (revision) surgery in the first six months:
the third day after surgery, so be prepared. Most likely, you'll experience a truck strike-like sensation. Your body floods the injured area with inflammatory cells after surgery to speed up the healing process. These levels will be at their highest on the third day. Swelling brought on by inflammation is uncomfortable. In accordance with your doctor's recommendations, begin using ice the day following surgery and taking an anti-inflammatory medication. The swelling and soreness, though, ought to go away if you've survived day three.
- Submit a query
Patients have the right to research a surgeon and to challenge the doctor during surgery, including:
How often have you performed this specific procedure?
It is advised for prospective patients to seek out a surgeon who has a great deal of expertise performing hip replacement surgery, specifically at the suggested incision site. Hip incisions can be made from the front, side, or rear. During surgery, the size, location, and types of muscles and other soft tissues that are separated or severed all affect the surgeon's view of the hip joint.
In your practice, how frequent are complications?
A surgeon should be prepared to respond to inquiries on the frequency of post-operative infections, the proportion of patients who require a second procedure, and potential long-term effects.
A potential patient is advised to request information on prior patients with similar risk profiles. For instance, a patient with diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis might be curious about the complication rates of other patients with those conditions.
Is it feasible for me to talk to patients who have had a similar procedure?
Former patients of a surgeon could be open to sharing their stories and what to anticipate from surgery. The physician must first obtain a signed consent form from a patient willing to share their tale, according to HIPAA standards.
- Get a second opinion and use it.
Getting a second opinion from a different orthopedic doctor is permissible, however it is not always necessary.
A second opinion is recommended if the initial orthopedic surgeon:
lacks the necessary qualifications or experience
does not accurately depict the rehabilitation process after a total hip replacement.
lacks a comprehensive response to your inquiries
Make sure you query the second surgeon about his or her experience and credentials in the same manner as you did the first. Additionally, remember that the second surgeon's judgment isn't usually the greatest.
People shouldn't worry about upsetting a doctor's sensibilities because it is fairly uncommon for patients to transfer surgeons or seek a second opinion.