As my personal surgeon says, I am the poster child for joint replacement having had 2 hip replacements and being active post-surgery in both tennis and pickleball. Not to mention a multi-medal winner. BUT – there is lots to know before you go under the knife and most you would never know to ask.
JUST A FEW QUESTIONS TO ASK:
- Are you licensed and do you have a fellowship in this specialty?
- What is your rate of injection/complications
- How long have you been doing this procedure?
- Do you use robotic surgery?
- What technique do you use?
- There are numerous techniques to replacement – check out minimally invasive Posterior, Anterior, Mako Robotic, which do you use and why?
- Is the surgery covered under my insurance / medicare? Having written my masters thesis on this topic, most undergoing this surgery are seniors and on medicare.
- Which hospital do you work from or do you work out of a surgical center. More on surgical centers later,
- Do I have a choice as to where I have my surgery?
- Which facility is better given my health history and risks?
- Is the facility Medicare certified?
- Does the facility participate in medicare?
- If I have an emergency during the procedure, what are your practices?
- What is the infection rate at the place of surgery?
- How long has your support staff been with you?
- Who is the anesthesiologist and how long have they been practicing with you?
- What implant do you use? Has it been recalled?
- Do you receive a fee for using the implant from the manufacturer?
- What if I have complications in the first 1-3 months – will you see me personally?
- If I have complications, what do you do?
- Is the procedure outpatient, or do I stay overnight, do I have a choice?
- What are your pre and post-surgery protocols? Diet, meds, PT,
Posted in mounting, mounting evidence
