Probably, your first doctor has already recommended that you see an orthopedic surgeon for your back pain. So how can you select the best orthopedic surgeon whom you can trust? Here are several important considerations to remember when looking for an orthopedic surgeon: his experience level and expertise. To begin, ask your doctor for a reference list of previous patients who had his services.

Ask your doctor for recommendations

When you search for an orthopedic surgeon Adelaide, don’t forget to ask for recommendations from other doctors or practitioners. For instance, if you are suffering from sciatica, ask for recommendations from chiropractors and physical therapists. You can even ask your loved ones and friends who have tried orthopedics to find one. If you can’t find one from them, try searching on the Internet.

Choose the hospital

Before deciding on the orthopedic surgeon to trust, it is important to know what hospital he has worked at before. You should find out if the hospital’s reputation is good or not. In your haste to make the decision, you might end up choosing the cheapest hospital. The truth is, cheap hospitals are often short on experience and qualified personnel, so you are putting yourself at risk if you choose them.

Find out about the surgeon’s surgical procedures

Do some research about the surgeon’s past surgeries. You must understand the kind of surgery he performs. Ask former patients how well the surgeon in the past handled their medical concerns. Even though it may be hard to trust someone whom other people have criticised so much, a former patient’s testimonial can give you a good idea of whether or not to go ahead with their surgery.

Find out about the hospital’s overall services

The hospital where your orthopedic surgery will take place should be able to provide you with qualified staff members who are knowledgeable about orthopaedics. They should also offer various kinds of consultation services such as x-rays, MRI scans, and CAT scans. Some orthopedic surgeons offer specific services for joint pains and make sure they treat your specific condition and give the necessary treatment.

Ask about hospital privileges

A hospital that the Joint Commission accredits on Accreditation of Hospitals is the right choice for your surgery. This means that the hospital is following good medical standards and treating its patients with utmost care. To make sure that the hospital you choose is truly worthy of this, you should ask for proof of the hospital’s accreditation. In some cases, you may even need to send your child to a specialist from the hospital for your child to receive the best medical treatment.

Ask if your new orthopedic surgeon will take over your primary care physician (PCP)

In many cases, when you have a major surgery such as hip replacement, you will be referred to a surgeon who will charge all of your medical bills. However, in some situations where you have a minor operation, your surgeon will only take over your PCP’s duties. If you feel uneasy about this arrangement, discuss it with your primary doctor first, and they may be fine with it or even recommend it to you.

Ask about the hospital’s or clinic’s board certification. Several professional organisations set national board certification criteria for an orthopedic surgeon Adelaide. In most cases, these board certifications require surgeons to have years of experience in their field, and they must also complete at least six additional residency training courses. Most orthopedic surgeons do not meet these minimum standards, so you will likely have to wait times of up to a year or more before you can finally see an orthopedic surgeon in the doctor’s office.