If there are issues with your bones and joints, such as your hips or knees, then you might benefit from the services offered by an orthopedic surgeon. An orthopedic surgeon can also aid if there are any injuries in these areas of the body, such as after playing sports. Before undergoing surgery, you need to find a doctor you trust and who is reputable so that your recovery is beneficial instead of leading to setbacks over time.

Recommendations
When you visit your primary care doctor, you’ll usually be given a recommendation to an orthopedic surgeon in the area. Your doctor will likely know of the best orthopedic doctor in Seattle, WA since doctors in different specialties sometimes work together to reach a diagnose about a patient or to seek assistance when they are unable to see all their patients in a timely manner. You can also ask your family and friends if they know of any orthopedic surgeons who they have used in the past.

Perform Research
After you have a list of three or four orthopedic surgeons, you need to perform as much research as you can about them. Look up their credentials as well as recent work that they have done. You also need to find out if they have any malpractice claims against them and if there are any negative reviews. Most doctors will often have people who do not like the work that they offer, but if a surgeon has more negative reviews than those that are positive, then you should consider finding someone different.

Comfort
When you talk to the surgeon, you need to feel comfortable. This is a person who will operate on an area of your body and possibly move those areas of the body around during therapy after the procedure. Sometimes, a doctor who is the same gender is more comfortable to be around. You should consider the age of the doctor as well. Older patients might relate better to an older doctor who understands some of the issues that arise with the bones and joints with age instead of a younger doctor who might relate to patients who play sports or who get injured because they are active.

Visit The Facility
After choosing a surgeon, you need to look at the facility where the surgery will take place. If you don’t feel comfortable in the facility or find that it doesn’t meet the standard of care that you feel should be offered, then ask the surgeon if there are other options. Most surgeons have privileges at more than one hospital or outpatient center in the region.

Communicate
It’s important to communicate with your surgeon before and after surgery. Talk about any concerns that you have and what you should expect from the procedure. You also need to discuss recovery time and when you will be able to go back to work and perform daily activities. Find out about any physical therapy that will be needed as well and if your insurance policy will cover these services.