Nearly 65 million Americans suffer from back pain. About 16 million of this population are adults with chronic or severe back pain. More Americans also suffer from chronic neck pain, with surgical recommendations as a viable solution for long-term pain relief.
People who have been offered a surgical recommendation for their neck and back pain problems often seek out the best spine surgeon for the procedure. If you’re in the same shoes, tennesseespinesurgeon.com has put together a resource on how to find the right orthopedic spine surgeon for your condition.
Here is a guide.
Do Some Research
Surgical procedures are not that simple. They can be risky and complicated, so you naturally want the best hands and minds for the job. A good way to kickstart your search for Seattle Orthopedic Surgeon is to devote some time to researching the best options around you. While researching orthopedic surgeons and specialists, below are the key competencies to put in focus;
Board certification: A board certification is a form of endorsement by a governing board stating that the orthopedic surgeon has gone the extra mile to complete extra training through the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). The ABMS sets the standards of excellence in both education and practice and endorses worthy medical specialists.
Check online using the ABMS directory to confirm the orthopedic surgeon’s certification.
Practice specialty: You’ll feel a lot more confident trusting your health and wellness to a specialist who is trained and experienced in handling the specific health issues you’re battling. When selecting, ensure that the orthopedic spine surgeon’s main practice area is in spine surgeries. This gives you improved confidence in their abilities, knowledge, and skills.
Read Reviews: Reviews are a social currency and a form of endorsement from past patients who have undergone similar procedures. Ensure that you read the orthopedic surgeon’s reviews, preferably on third-party websites and medical forums. This will give you an idea of what to expect from the surgeon in terms of treatment quality and care, post-procedural support, fees, etc.
Schedule A Consultation Meeting
There are plenty of things you cannot gauge simply by looking at an orthopedic surgeon’s online profile. After researching the top picks for the job, make contact and set up a favorable consultation time to meet with the surgeon.
The consultation meeting with the surgeon is a great time to discuss at length about your health problems. You can also use this medium to get a feel of the surgeon’s practice or office and how they attend to patients. Some things to do when meeting with the surgeon at their office include;
Talk to nurses and staff: The nurses and staff have a better understanding of the medical facility and can give you a hint as to what to expect. Establish a friendly conversation with the nurses and staff and inquire about the quality of care delivered. You can also ask about your specific surgery, the outcomes, and what to expect. This can help you to clear up a lot of confusion ahead of the procedure.
Prepare your questions: As stated earlier, the consultation meeting is your chance to learn more about the orthopedic spine surgeon, their practice, your health condition, etc. Seize the opportunity to ask as many questions as you have. You can also present your concerns about the procedure to the surgeon.
An important question to keep in mind is whether surgery is an absolute necessity in your case. This can open you up to other treatment possibilities.
Making a decision
At the end of the consultation meeting, you already know who you are likely to choose based on the facilities, technology, customer service, and after-care support promised. It is, however, important to do a last round of checks before finalizing your decision. At this stage,
Ask for patient references: Keep in mind that HIPAA laws prevent medical practices from sharing patient information without their consent. The orthopedic spine surgeon or their office may be able to connect you with a couple of past patients who have consented to be reached for reference purposes. Ensure to ask polite questions about the procedure, their experience, and whether they would recommend the orthopedic spine surgeon.
Trust your instincts: The best decision can only be made by you. Ensure that you choose an orthopedic spine surgeon that you feel the most comfortable with based on the quality of services and customer service offered. Trusting your instincts increases your confidence in the specialist’s abilities and can ultimately improve your overall treatment experience.
Follow the steps above to weed out unwanted orthopedic spine surgeons and hire the best one for your chronic spinal problem.