going to the doctor
Shoulder replacement surgerysurgeryThe branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of disease, injury, and deformity by operation or manipula... has helped thousands of people enjoy a better life. Patients need to determine whether it‘s right for them. That‘s a question that a patient and an orthopaedic surgeon have to answer together.
The relationship between patient and surgeon is a key factor in success. It is important for to choose a surgeon who instills confidence.
So how does a patient go about choosing a surgeon and developing a good relationship? The good news is that it‘s easier than ever for patients to find skilled surgeons close to home.
Ask a family doctor if he or she can recommend an orthopaedic shoulder specialist, or explore the Find A Doctor tool on this web site. Orthopaedic doctors tend to specialize in different areas of the body, so it is important to choose one that has experience with and specializes in the shoulder. Once one or more surgeon(s) have been identified, evaluate their credentials.
how are surgeons trained?
Orthopaedic surgeons are medical doctors or osteopaths. After college they attend medical school for four years to receive an MD or DO degree. Following medical school or osteopath school, surgeons must complete a residency in orthopaedicsorthopaedicsThe medical specialty involved in the preservation and restoration of function of the musculoskeletal system t.... This is usually a minimum of five years. While in residency, the surgeon learns much more about the bones, joints, and muscles of the body. It is here that the orthopaedic surgeon-in-training learns to operate and perfects his or her surgical skills under the guidance of the professors of orthopaedic surgery.
After the residency, the surgeon begins practice. The new surgeon must obtain surgical privileges at the hospitals where surgery will be performed. This requires extensive credentialing by the hospital. The surgeon‘s background and training are checked thoroughly.
commitment to patients
DePuy is committed to providing patients the best care possible by offering surgeons the opportunity to attend advanced training courses where innovative techniques and skills can be learned.
what is board certification?
Orthopaedic surgeons are certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons. To become board certified, the surgeon must pass exams that are given 2 years after entering practice. To maintain board certification, the surgeon must take an additional test every 10 years and prove that he or she has attended a minimum number of hours of continuing education.
what is fellowship training?
Many orthopaedic surgeons choose to specialize even further. This requires even more training in the form of a fellowship. A fellowship usually lasts 6 to 12 months. During the fellowship, the surgeon works with one or more experts in a specialized field of orthopaedic surgery. This allows the surgeon to become even more experienced in certain areas, such as jointjointThe junction between the ends of two adjacent bones. replacement, spinal surgery, hand surgery, children‘s orthopaedics, or sports medicine, to name a few.
the patient‘s relationship with their doctor
In addition to the clinical credentials, a good surgeon will have good human credentials. That means showing concern for each patient‘s painpainAn unpleasant sensation associated with actual or potential tissue damage, and mediated by specific nerve fibe..., taking time to hear their concerns and answering their questions fully.
Choosing a surgeon is an important first step in seeking relief from pain. Thereafter, the success of a treatment plan depends in large part on how well the patient uses his or her time with the surgeon. Here are some tips to make the most of every visit:
- Be ready to talk about relevant medical history. Write down previous treatments in advance of the appointment. An injury that occurred decades ago may be relevant, as are prior surgeries and non-surgical treatments like physical therapyphysical therapyThe treatment consisting of exercising specific parts of the body such as the legs, arms, hands or neck, in an... and medicines. The surgeon also needs to know about other medical conditions that could affect surgery
- Patients should make a list of all the medicines they take, and take copies with them when they go to the doctor. Their list will save you time and assure that the doctor gets all the accurate information. This is especially important for people who take several types of medicine. The surgeon needs to know about all pills, creams, injections, or other forms of medicine that the patient is taking. Be sure to discuss over-the-counter pills (aspirin, decongestants, etc). And don‘t forget about vitamins and nutritional supplements
- Patients should mention any allergies they may have, even if they‘re not asked about it
- Bring any previous tests such as X-rays, lab tests, etc., to the appointment if possible. This saves a lot of time and duplication and helps the surgeon assess the patient‘s symptoms
- Patients should also be prepared to tell the surgeon about their lifestyle, the activities they enjoy, and how shoulder pain is affecting them physically and emotionally
Finally, consider asking some of these questions during the visit:
