Patients looking for an arthroscopic surgeon should plan on meeting with several surgeons to select a practitioner with relevant clinical experience, a clear patient treatment plan, and recommendations or special qualifications. Listings of surgeons can be found through professional organizations, as well as hospitals and referral clinics, and an arthroscopic surgeon is usually happy to provide information about training, experience, and qualifications to prospective patients. Taking time before the surgery to find the most appropriate surgeon can result in a better outcome.
When arthroscopic surgery is recommended to a patient, the patient may want to ask the clinician if there are any recommendations for a surgeon or facility in the area who can perform the surgery. Other sources for recommendations can include friends or family who have had surgery, as well as publications providing ratings of surgeons and hospitals. These can be used to assemble a list of prospective surgeons to research.
While researching surgeons, patients can confirm that their medical licenses are current with regulatory agencies, and they can also check to see if they are board certified surgeons in good standing. While being board certified is not required to practice, board certification usually indicates a higher level of professionalism, skill, and commitment to continuing education. The American Board of Orthopedic Surgery is an example of a certifying organization for arthroscopic surgeons.
This should help patients pull together a list of three to five surgeons they can interview. It is advisable to ask for a complete copy of the patient's medical record to bring to intake meetings with surgeons. Surgeons generally do not charge for a consultation with a patient, giving patients a chance to meet surgeons and discuss their cases without obligation.
In a meeting with an arthroscopic surgeon, patients should ask how the surgeon would perform the the procedure and if there are alternatives, and get information about the risks. The surgeon can be asked about experience with prior patients, including success rates with that kind of surgery in other patients. A reputable surgeon will provide a referral to a colleague if she feels she cannot safely perform the surgery, and may also offer referrals for a second opinion for patients who are still deciding on an arthroscopic surgeon. Patients may also want to ask about healing time, follow up appointments, and aftercare. The arthroscopic surgeon should provide an accurate overview, including disclosure of rare risks, so the patient can make an informed decision.
