How to Choose the Best Orthopaedic Surgeon?
Proper treatment of orthopaedic problems is important for the patient’s work, sporting activities and overall quality of life. Read below to find out how to choose the most suitable and best Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in the upper limb and knee.
The Doctor’s CV
Nowadays, specialisation in Orthopaedics is essential and necessary. It has been proven that surgeons who perform a high volume of specific procedures achieve better outcomes and lower complication rates compared with surgeons who perform fewer procedures. It is self-evident that a surgeon who performs 200 shoulder arthroscopies per year has greater experience and better outcomes than someone who performs 2 such operations per month.
Specialisation and CV
Look for detailed information about the doctor’s CV, undergraduate studies, postgraduate qualifications, as well as where they completed their specialty training and subspecialty training. The CV should be detailed, without significant gaps.
Experience Abroad
In Greece, the concept of subspecialty training after completing specialty training is not widely established. In the majority of Western countries, such as the United States or the United Kingdom, subspecialisation is considered standard and necessary. After completing specialty training, an Orthopaedic Surgeon undergoes at least 1–2 years of subspecialty training at a reference centre in the field of interest.
Ask About the Doctor’s Experience
It is common practice to state that a doctor has specialised abroad without providing further details. Genuine postgraduate training / subspecialty training lasts at least 1–2 years in a paid position. It is important to know exactly what the doctor did abroad (whether they were simply an observer or performed operations independently). Attending seminars and conferences does not make someone a specialist in a particular field. Likewise, experience abroad in observer, travelling or research positions does not constitute surgical subspecialty training. Finally, in cases where training in the United States is mentioned, ask whether the doctor has passed the USMLE examinations (medical licence requirements). With very few exceptions, a doctor without USMLE certification is not permitted to perform surgery or clinical work in the United States.
Seek Recommendations
- Ask a physiotherapist, nursing staff member or another healthcare professional who knows the doctor. Hospital staff, particularly operating theatre staff, are often familiar with which doctors have the greatest expertise in a particular field.
- Ask your physician or another doctor you trust.
- Ask friends, relatives or colleagues who have undergone surgery with the Doctor. Ask about their overall experience and, of course, the outcome of their surgery.
- Speak with your insurance advisor, who may have experience with other insured patients treated surgically by the Doctor.
- Look for patient reviews on independent and reliable platforms such as Google (see here).
Talk to the Doctor
- Ask all your questions about your condition as well as all available treatment options (conservative or surgical).
- If surgical treatment is required, ask the doctor about their years of experience, the number of procedures they have performed and their complication rates.
- It is important that you trust the doctor and feel comfortable with them.
Learn About the Hospital and the Doctor’s Team
- Prefer a large and well-organised hospital with support from multiple medical specialties.
- Choose a hospital with high-quality medical technology and well-organised operating theatres with international certifications. Procedures performed in organised hospital facilities are associated with lower rates of certain postoperative complications, such as infections.
- Prefer well-organised medical teams with a specialised anaesthesiologist, experienced associates and nursing staff familiar with the procedures.
Find Out About the Cost of the Procedure
- Ask whether the doctor and the hospital are contracted with your private insurance provider.
- Ask whether there are financial packages available for your insurance provider, EOPYY, IKA or OGA.
Frequently asked questions
Is it “orthopaedic” or “orthopedic”?
Both spellings refer to the same medical specialty: “orthopaedic” is the British spelling and “orthopedic” the American one. The term comes from the Greek words “orthos” (straight) and “pais” (child) and was coined in 1741 by the French physician Nicolas Andry, who wrote about correcting and preventing deformities in children.
How do I choose a shoulder surgeon?
Look for an orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in the shoulder and ask how often they perform the procedure you need. In a systematic review, shoulder replacements and rotator cuff repairs performed by surgeons who do few of these operations a year were linked to more complications and longer hospital stays.
What should I ask an orthopaedic surgeon before an operation?
Ask about all the possible ways of treating your condition, both non-surgical and surgical. If surgery is proposed, ask about the doctor’s years of experience, how many of these operations they have performed and their complication rates, and whether the doctor and the hospital are contracted with your private insurance provider.
Seek a Second Opinion
Choosing an orthopaedic surgeon is a critical decision that will determine the outcome of a future operation. If you are not completely certain or satisfied with the surgeon or with the proposed treatment, seek additional opinions. The best orthopaedic surgeon is the one who combines the above characteristics and will devote ample time to answering all of your questions.
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