Orthopedic surgeons do total knee replacement surgery. Board-certified orthopedic surgeons must undergo years of special training, but knee replacement surgery doesn’t require special certification or licensing.
By choosing a surgeon and hospital specializing in knee replacements and doing a lot of them each year, a patient can increase the chances of a successful total knee replacement surgery (total knee arthroplasty) and decrease the chances of complications.
When picking the best orthopedic surgeon for knee replacement surgery, think about the following:
- Experience: How long has the doctor been doing what they do? In what subjects? How many times have they done knee replacements? How many shows does he do a year?
- Seek advice from your family doctor: Ask your primary care doctor or general practitioner for a referral to a reputable local surgeon based on their experience referring other patients.
- Discuss with your friends: Ask people you know who they have seen for orthopedic surgery. Today, arthritis and joint replacement surgeries are common. You probably know someone who has had one or the other. (But don’t rely on this information alone. Even surgeons with no experience will have some happy patients!)
- Education: Look at the surgeon’s credentials, like degrees, training, and fellowships. Think about what they studied and what board certifications they have or can get.
- Write your questions down and make sure you ask them: Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor about their experience and credentials. Make sure to ask any questions about your condition and the possible surgeries. Any good surgeon will listen to your concerns and answer your questions to ensure you understand the procedures and the risks.
- Think about getting a second opinion. Getting a second opinion may make you feel better. Most good surgeons will be glad to give you a second opinion if you ask for one, and they will be happy to look at it and talk about it with you if you need to. This should come from a different doctor or hospital than the first surgeon.
- Trust your instincts. If you leave the first meeting or consultation with a surgeon and don’t feel confident in that surgeon, trust yourself and keep looking for the right surgeon for you.
What You Can Expect After Knee Replacement Surgery
Ninety percent of knee replacement surgeries each year are successful, meaning that the patient’s pain is reduced and their function is improved.
But studies show that only about 85 percent of patients are happy with the surgery.
7 Some of the differences could be because patients didn’t know what to expect from surgery or didn’t know how hard and long recovery would be. 8-10 So, a patient and surgeon should talk openly and honestly about:
- Possible short-term and long-term effects and problems
- Options for dealing with pain after surgery
- The time and work needed for recovery after surgery
- How the new knee will feel and what the patient will or will not be able to do with it.
- Getting a Second Opinion for Knee Replacement Surgery
- A patient can ask another doctor for a second or even a third opinion. For example, a person who wants a knee replacement may want to find a different orthopedic surgeon with a lower rate of complications or one who can better address the patient’s concerns. Patients should remember that a second opinion may or may not be more accurate than the first.
- It’s not unusual to get a second opinion or switch surgeons; patients shouldn’t worry about hurting their doctor’s feelings.
Dr. Vikas Mehra is the best Knee Replacement Surgeon in Mohali and Chandigarh; you can get Knee Replacement Surgery that works. Talk to the best doctor in Chandigarh for knee pain for a better diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Mehra is the best ortho doctor in Chandigarh, India. He has the best treatment options.