The thought of shoulder surgery can be rather scary for most patients. Choosing the right shoulder surgeon, however, can often put most of your fears to rest.
Shoulder injuries are often quite painful,
and some may even require surgery in order to heal properly. Although the thought of going under the knife, so to speak, may seem very scary, choosing the right shoulder surgeon can often put your fears to rest.
Choosing the right surgeon for you, however, may not be as easy as simply opening up the phone book. In order for the surgery and other treatment options to go smoothly, you must feel comfortable with the surgeon you choose.
There are a few different ways to choose a shoulder surgeon, and there are also a few different ways to ensure that the two of you are a good fit.
Get Recommendations or Referrals
If you have a family member or friend that has had should surgery in the past, ask them who their surgeon was and if they would recommend them. Ask them what they liked and didn't like about their shoulder surgeon. This will often give you a good idea whether or not a particular surgeon will be a good fit for you.
Since not everyone has undergone shoulder surgery, you may not be able to get a recommendation from a friend or family member. In this case, you may want to consider asking your current general practitioner for a referral.
Make Sure a Shoulder Surgeon Accepts Your Medical Insurance
Like most other surgeries, shoulder surgery can be quite expensive. In fact, it is usually so expensive that the majority of people are unable to pay for it without the help of a medical insurance company.
One of the first things that you should check on when trying to choose a shoulder surgeon is which surgeons accept your insurance and which ones don't. You may need to choose a different surgeon, if your first choice does not accept your insurance, since you will be responsible for paying for the expenses out of your own pocket.
Meet With Your Shoulder Surgeon
Meeting with a shoulder surgeon is often one of the most important - yet overlooked - steps when choosing a shoulder surgeon. During your first meeting, be prepared to go over your medical history in detail. This will often include such things as any previous medical problems and injuries, along with any medications that you are taking and any allergies that you are aware of.
You and the surgeon will then usually discuss the problems with your shoulder. For instance, he will most likely want to know how an injury occurred and how much pain you are having. He will also usually perform a physical examination, and he may order more tests as well, such as x-rays.
After you have discussed your shoulder problem, you and your shoulder surgeon will also usually discuss possible treatment options. If you will definitely need surgery, the surgeon should explain every step of the procedure to you, from the anesthesia through your recovery.
If you are unsure about anything, don't hesitate to ask questions. A good shoulder surgeon will take the time to answer each and every one of your questions thoroughly
