According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there are approximately 719,000 total knee replacements completed on an annual basis in the United States. Seeing an orthopedic doctor who is specialized in these types of surgical procedures is an important part of addressing the pain, loss of movement and the challenges posed when the knee is no longer functioning properly.
Finding the correct orthopedic doctor to complete the surgical procedure is important for many different reasons. Having a highly qualified and experienced doctor is essential to being confident and having trust in the medical professional you choose.
To determine if the orthopedic doctor for your knee replacement procedure is a good match for your procedure, consider the following issues. Remember the initial consultation is about learning about the doctor as well as providing information to the medical professional.
Options Available
There are many different types of implants which can be used by an orthopedic doctor in any procedure. A top doctor with experience in working with patients will carefully select from a full or partial knee replacement or may even recommend a specific type of implant based on your knee, age, activity level and other factors.
Ask about the options and have the doctor explain why this implant or recommended procedure is best for your knee.
Explanation of the Procedure
Today, there are a range of different ways an orthopedic doctor can help the patient become familiar with the procedure. Many doctors have short video clips patients can watch which describe the procedure in general terms.
Be sure to ask the doctor about your specific situation as everyone is not the same. Some issues you should clarify include the size of the incision, if the procedure is computer-assisted, as well as the estimated length of the procedure.
Possible Risks or Complications
A top orthopedic doctor will always share with the patient the possible risks or complications which can occur with a knee replacement. Typically these are highly successful procedures but there are risks involved. The most common issues include infection post-procedure, development of blood clots, possible long or short term nerve damage as well as the after effects of anesthesia including vomiting, dizziness, and flu-like symptoms.
It is also important for the patient to ask the orthopedic doctor for information on the number of similar procedures the doctor has performed. Often top surgeons have performed hundreds of knee replacements, giving the patient the confidence in knowing they have selected a doctor with extensive, positive surgical experience.
Suburban Orthopaedics has several top orthopedic doctors on staff and able to see new patients for any type of orthopedic surgery or treatment. To learn more see us at www.suburbanortho.com or check out our Facebook page.
