Choosing an Orthopedic Surgeon for Your Knee Replacement
Here are Some Tips for Finding the Right Orthopedic Surgeon in San Francisco
Finding the right knee surgeon in San Francisco will help ensure you have a successful surgery and recovery.
Here’s what you can do:
Ask for Referrals
Check with your primary care physician or general practitioner for a list or referral for an orthopedic surgeon in the Bay Area who specializes in or is experienced in knee replacement. Reach out to other doctors and physical therapists.
Ask anyone you know who has undergone knee replacement surgery who performed it and how it went.
Consult hospitals in your region that have a department of excellence for orthopedic surgery.
A number of online databases provide a way to identify board-certified knee replacement surgeons and to check their credentials:
- American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons,
- American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons
- American Medical Association
Evaluate the Surgeon’s Credentials
Spend some time reviewing the surgeon’s background, including:
- education
- degrees
- credentials
- training
Find out if the surgeon is board-certified and by what association.
Studies show that surgeons who conduct 12 or more total knee replacements (TKRs) per year are more likely to have a record of success.
Continuing Education
Specialists in knee replacement gain valuable experience mainly by performing operations, but they can also expand their knowledge through continuing education. This includes learning about:
- new technologies
- current surgical approaches
- new devices
If you think a specific device or surgical approach may be right for you, it’s important to determine if your prospective surgeon is trained in that area or is able to implant that device.
Meet with the Surgeon One-on-One
Once you have compiled a short list of potential orthopedic surgeons in the Bay Area, you will want to schedule a consultation with each one. During these sessions, you will want to:
- discuss your situation
- ask any questions you have
- solicit their opinion
- decide if they are the right surgeon for you
Get a Second Opinion
Be sure you consider a second opinion, preferably at a different clinic, to gain valuable insight and perspective. You may want to visit three or four doctors, or more.
Cost of Surgery
Insurance coverage will probably be a main factor in your choice. When you call the billing office of each hospital directly to check on your insurance company’s coverage of the procedure, ask about the following:
- the hospital’s track record with the procedure
- physical therapy options after the surgery
- cost of both the procedure and follow-up physical therapy
Are You Looking for a Knee Surgeon in San Francisco?
You will have many questions and concerns about your knee replacement surgery. Don’t be afraid to voice them. You shouldn’t move forward with surgery until you feel completely comfortable with the orthopedic surgeon in San Francisco. Your future health depends on it.
Contact Dr. Jeffrey Halbrecht for a consultation about your knee replacement.