If an individual has been experiencing chronic pain for a long and is unable to move freely due to severe hip dysfunction, it’s time for him to get hip replacement surgery. Most patients over 50 years tend to undergo hip replacement surgery. Osteoarthritis and osteonecrosis are the two main conditions for which hip replacements are performed. When considering this surgery, choosing the right orthopedic hip surgeon is crucial. This article discusses the factors a prospective patient must consider to choose the best hip replacement surgeon.
Verify the Credentials of the Surgeon
Here are some ways to verify the credentials of a hip replacement surgeon:
- Medical Licensing
Every medical doctor or surgeon must be certified by the respective state’s medical board. Even some states have an official website where patients can verify doctors’ credentials.
- Fellowship Training
An orthopedic hip surgeon must have undergone hip replacement fellowship training under the guidance of an experienced surgeon.
- Professional Affiliations
Almost every qualified and trained hip replacement surgeon will be a member of a renowned organization, like the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons or the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Make Sure to Hire an Experienced Surgeon
According to research, surgery performed by an experienced hip replacement surgeon is more likely to be successful. Visit the surgeon’s professional web page on the hospital’s website and see whether he specializes in hip replacement surgery. Moreover, a prospective patient can ask follow-up questions during the in-person appointment to know what type of hip surgeries the surgeon has performed.
Ask Necessary Questions
Here is the list of questions that patients should ask the surgeon for selecting the best orthopedic hip surgeon:
- How Many Times Has the Surgeon Performed Specific Surgery?
Prospective patients usually prefer choosing a surgeon with extensive experience with hip replacement surgeries. After diagnosing the patient’s hip condition and suggesting a specific surgery, they should ask the surgeon the number of times he performed recommended surgery.
- What are Surgeon’s Complication Rates?
A professional surgeon will always answer prospective patients’ questions without hesitation. These questions can be about how many patients suffer from post-surgical infections or undergo a second surgery due to long-term complications.
Moreover, a prospective patient will want to ask about past patients having similar health conditions. For instance, a patient having diabetes will ask about the complication rates of other patients with the same condition.
Know the Surgeon’s Insurance Regulations
Hip replacement surgery is usually an expensive procedure, especially when the patient needs to undergo physiotherapy. Most patients have health insurance but not all hospitals or surgeons accept the same. Therefore, it’s better to ask beforehand whether the surgeon or hospital accepts specific health insurance.
Conclusion
Hip replacement treatment is time-consuming, especially when it requires extensive physiotherapy after the surgery. Having the support of a professional hip replacement surgeon during the entire treatment can boost the patient’s confidence. Therefore, the patients need to choose a qualified and trained hip replacement doctor who understands their patient’s requirements. Considering these factors can help anyone select the right orthopedic surgeon.
