The Quick Path to Finding an Orthopedic Surgeon

If you're suffering from a problem affecting your musculoskeletal system, you may be in need of an orthopedic doctor or surgeon. You don't want to spend a lot of time searching for one. Every moment wasted on the search is another moment you have to spend in pain. At the same time, of course, you don't want to pick the first guy you find in the phone book. You deserve the best treatment available. There are several factors that may come into play when making your decision, including location, referrals, and your own insurance. Here is the quick path to finding the right doctor.

General Physician
If you are already in communication with a general physician or a family doctor, that may very well the best place to start your search. A general physician may not have the specialization necessary to provide accurate and complete treatment, but they will be able to make a preliminary diagnosis. From there, they can refer you to an orthopedic specialist who can take the case. Not only will you be certain to remain in trusted hands, but you may be able to get an appointment with a specialist faster in this way (as opposed to seeking one out on your own).

Run an AAOS Search
For a good list of names, you might want to start with the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. The AAOS website can give you the names of all appropriate doctors in your area. While the site isn't going to give you any information relevant to preferring one doctor over another, it's a good place to start if you don't have a referral. The site also provides users with a tool that can allow you to limit the search to a certain diameter. If you don't want to drive too far out of your way for treatment, this tool may be handy to have.

Insurance
In some cases, you may not have as much choice as you might like. Insurance companies tend to have only a select number of doctors on the plan. This means, if you want to have your insurance company cover your bills, you'll have to see one of the doctors in the network. For some people, this network is very large and will still give you plenty of choices. For others, it may only provide you with one or two names. Contact your insurance provider and ask about your options when it comes to finding an orthopedic doctor