Besides forming the body’s structure, the skeletal system performs essential functions, such as facilitating movement, protecting body organs, and storing minerals. Orthopedic specialists play the crucial role of treating issues of the skeletal system and its related structures, including the bones and the spinal cord. They help diagnose and treat significant skeletal issues like osteoporosis, scoliosis, fractures, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis. Here are some tips to consider while looking for an orthopedic specialist nearby:
Check for and verify the doctor’s credentials
The first step to selecting an orthopedic specialist is to check the doctor’s credentials, such as professional qualifications, license, and relevant experience in the field of orthopedics. An effective way to verify these credentials is through the Federation of Medical Boards website, which allows users to check doctors’ professional details through its search feature. It is important to shortlist an orthopedic specialist or surgeon only after verifying his/her credentials.
Look for the doctor’s experience with the concerned issue
The field of orthopedics is diverse, entailing various sub-fields, including injuries due to sports, the spine, hand, foot and ankle, and joints. Consequently, patients may also have specific requirements for which they would need to consult an orthopedic specialist. One should consider their requirements and the nature of the issue while looking for an orthopedic doctor. For example, an orthopedic spine specialist, or an orthopedic doctor for back pain and related conditions, would be the best person to heal a spine injury.
Check for the hospital’s quality and amenities
An orthopedic doctor may be highly proficient and experienced, but the quality of the orthopedic clinic or hospital determines several aspects concerning patients’ treatment, including the infrastructure to be used for surgical procedures and post-surgical care. Therefore, one should check whether the hospital incorporates cutting-edge technology into surgical procedures and whether it is well-staffed to deal with several cases at once.
Ask the family doctor for a referral
Family doctors are typically trusted healthcare professionals who have a network of doctors from different fields. Moreover, they are aware of their patients’ overall health histories and can recommend a suitable doctor based on one’s specific ailments. Hence, it is a good idea to ask one’s family doctor for an orthopedic specialist’s reference.
Have an open conversation with the orthopedic doctor
While verifying the doctor’s credentials and experience is one aspect of determining his/her proficiency, having an open conversation with the healthcare professional can help gauge whether the doctor can implement these learnings. Moreover, such conversations can enable one to gauge the doctor’s efficiency, approach, openness to communication, and willingness to genuinely help patients.
Looking for an orthopedic doctor involves some research into the doctor’s qualifications, experience, and expertise in the specific orthopedic subfield, as well as a one-on-one with the professional to understand his/her approach and openness. Some of the popular orthopedic surgeons in the country include Adam Bitterman, DO. Huntington Hospital, David Holden, MD., McBride Orthopedic Hospital, Ky Kobayashi, MD., Colorado Center of Orthopedic Excellence, and Steve Haas, MD., Hospital for Special Surgery.