How to Find a Joint Replacement Doctor Who Fits Your Needs

Joint replacement surgery, also known as arthroplasty, is a procedure that involves removing part of or the entire diseased joint and replacing it with a prosthesis to provide long-term pain relief and restore normal function. The procedure may be necessary for cases where there is extensive joint damage or where symptoms no longer respond to conservative interventions.

Joint replacement surgeries are a delicate procedure. They require advanced skills and specialized training to ensure accurate implant positioning, reduced risk of postoperative complications, and ultimately, optimal functional restoration. Thus, in order for you to boost your assurance that you’re going to receive the appropriate care and achieve your desired treatment outcome, you should find a reliable joint replacement doctor who perfectly fits your needs.

Consider these tips to make the search and decision-making process a lot easier for you.

1.) Location matters.

You will likely need to see your joint replacement doctor several times—before and on the day of your surgery itself and for your follow-up checkups. The post-surgical discomforts will likely limit your mobility, so it pays to see a doctor whose clinic is located close to where you live. This way, you won’t have to put up with the hassle of having to travel long distances and ensure continuity of care.

2.) Ask the people you trust.

Getting references from people you trust is a great way to find a good doctor. Consider asking your primary care physician for a list of good in-network referrals or your family members, friends, colleagues, and even neighbors if they know of joint replacement surgeons who they think are worth recommending.

3.) Do your due diligence.

Once you get a list of referrals, start doing a background check. The first thing you need to find out is whether the doctor is board certified. Board certification is a good indicator that the doctor has a high level of expertise in their specific specialty and is equipped with all that’s necessary to provide effective care.

Joint replacement doctors are essentially orthopedic subspecialists, so you can use the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery website to verify the doctor’s certification.

As with any other type of medical professional, you also need to find out how long the doctor has already been in practice—the more experience they have, the better your chances of a successful treatment outcome. Find information about roughly how many procedures the doctor has performed as well as their success/complication rates.

It also pays to learn about the doctor’s reputation. Read patient reviews or testimonials. These should be found on the doctor’s website or social media page. There are resources online that you can use to ascertain whether the doctor has no record of malpractice claims or disciplinary actions.

4.) Arrange a visit.

Arrange an appointment with the doctor. This gives you chance to learn about the doctor’s bedside manner firsthand.

Observe their body language and the way they respond to your questions. The right joint replacement doctor for you is one with whom you are comfortable talking, who supports your information needs, and who has a genuine concern for the outcome of your treatment and your overall well-being. If you feel that you’re being brushed aside or rushed, this may be a sign that you need to find another doctor.

Joint Replacement Doctor in St. Peters and O’Fallon, MO

If you have chronic joint pain that is resistant to conservative interventions and you’re in search of a good joint replacement doctor, visit us at Advanced Bone & Joint, and we’ll be delighted to match you with a highly skilled orthopedic surgeon. Our orthopedic surgeons—with their expertise on the latest surgical techniques in joint replacement–have already performed numerous successful joint replacement surgeries, so you can rest assured that you’re in very good hands.

To schedule a consultation with one of our joint replacement doctors, call us today at (636) 229-4222 or alternatively, you can request an appointment online.