Orthopedic surgeons do total knee replacement surgery. Board-certified orthopedic surgeons must undergo years of special training, but there is no special certification or licensing for knee replacement surgery.
By selecting a surgeon and a hospital with dedicated resources and performing a high volume of knee replacements each year, a patient can increase the likelihood of a successful total knee replacement surgery (total knee arthroplasty) while decreasing the likelihood of complications.
Consider the following factors when choosing the best orthopedic surgeon for knee replacement surgery:
Experience: How long has the surgeon been in practice? In which disciplines? How many knee replacements have they performed? How many shows does he do each year?
Consult your family doctor: Request a referral to a respected local surgeon from your primary care physician or general practitioner based on his or her experience in referring other patients.
Talk to your friends: Inquire with people you know about which orthopedic surgeons they have seen. Arthritis and joint replacement surgeries are common today; you most likely know someone who has had them. (However, don’t rely entirely on this information. Even inexperienced surgeons will have some satisfied patients!)
Education: Examine the surgeon’s credentials, including degrees, training, and fellowships. Consider the areas of study he or she pursued and the board certifications he or she has or is eligible for.
Write down your questions and make sure to ask them:
Do not be afraid to ask your doctor about his or her experience and credentials. Make sure to ask any questions about your condition and surgical options. Any good surgeon will listen to your concerns and answer your questions to ensure you understand the procedures and the risks.
Consider getting a second opinion: A second opinion may help you feel more at ease. Most good surgeons will welcome your request for a second opinion and will be happy to review and discuss it with you if necessary. Ideally, this should come from a doctor who works in a different practice or hospital than the first surgeon.
Trust your instincts: If you leave the initial consultation/meeting with a surgeon and do not feel confident in that surgeon, trust yourself and keep looking for the right surgeon for you.
What to Expect After Knee Replacement Surgery
Ninety percent of knee replacement surgeries performed each year are considered successful, which means that the patient’s pain is reduced and function is improved.
However, studies show that overall patient satisfaction with the surgery is slightly lower, at around 85 percent.
7 Some of the disparity could be attributed to patients who had unrealistic expectations for surgery or did not anticipate the hard work and time required for rehabilitation. 8-10 As a result, a patient and surgeon should have an open and honest discussion about:
- Potential short and long-term outcomes and complications
- Postoperative pain management options
- The time and effort required for post-surgical rehabilitation
- How the new knee will feel, and what the patient will and will not be able to do with it.
Getting a Second Opinion for Knee Replacement Surgery
A patient has the right to a second or even third opinion from another doctor. For example, a prospective knee replacement patient may want to look for another orthopedic surgeon with lower complication rates or better address the patient’s concerns. Patients should remember that the second opinion may or may not be more accurate than the first.
Getting a second opinion or switching surgeons is not uncommon, and patients should not be concerned about hurting a doctor’s feelings.
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