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7 Tips to Help You Choose an Orthopaedic Surgeon

October 01, 2018

Chronic pain from joint or musculoskeletal injuries can be draining, but for eligible patients orthopaedic surgery may bring relief. With so many types of doctors, procedures, technology and facilities, identifying the right surgeon can be overwhelming.

“Patients have a variety of options when selecting their orthopaedic surgeon,” says Dr. Aaron Covey, a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in joint replacement surgery and sports medicine at the Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute at MidState Medical Center. “Most importantly, the patient should feel comfortable with their doctor. The surgeon’s training, quality outcomes, and support services should be at the top of a patient’s list of questions.”

Here are seven tips to consider when selecting your orthopaedic surgeon:

  1. Board certification: Your surgeon should be board-certified in a specialty related to your needs. Board certification officially signifies that your doctor has demonstrated the highest level of mastery in that specialty.
  2. Specialization: Some orthopaedic surgeons are fellowship-trained. This means that they have additional, intensive training in a specific area of orthopaedics (for example, foot and ankle surgery). Fellowship-trained surgeons may be referred to as “subspecialists.” Board-certified surgeons who are not fellowship trained are focused more on general orthopaedic surgery.
  3. Experience: Once you identify what type of procedure you need, ask your doctor, “How many of these have you performed?” A surgeon who has performed your procedure 1,000 as opposed to a handful of times will likely provide patients with better results.
  4. Patient satisfaction metrics: This is based on the hospital or facility where your doctor will perform your procedure. Hospitals and healthcare facilities often contract with independent agencies to survey patients on their experience. High patient-satisfaction scores indicate patients’ needs are met or exceeded and they are reporting exceptional experiences.
  5. Patient navigators: Does your doctor or the hospital where you’ll have your procedure offer a nurse navigator? Nurse navigators are registered nurses who focus on helping patients get through the surgical process – before, during, and after surgery. This may include pre-surgical testing, education, post-surgery home preparation and discharge planning.
  6. Pre-operative education: Educational classes, either through your doctor’s office or the facility where you will have your surgery, are a key component in a patient achieving the best outcome in the shortest period of time.
  7. Pain-control methodology: How does your physician approach pain control? Today, there are many ways to manage pain. Make sure you and your doctor have a similar mindset about how to achieve your goals while managing your pain.

“The Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute is known for its renowned surgeons, exceptional facility, and educational programs,” says Covey. “Patient feedback consistently puts the Institute at the top – outperforming hospitals locally and nationally.

“Thanks to our specialized staff and our educational programs, patients feel ready for their surgery before they arrive, at ease on the day of their procedure, and prepared to go home when they’re discharged. These indicators set the foundation for an exceptional patient experience and the best possible outcomes for the patient after surgery.”

For more information about the Connecticut Orthopaedic Institute at MidState Medical Center, click here.