How to Choose the Right Doctor for Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Bad knees can make everyday activities hard to handle. Even simple acts like walking, home repair and playing with children can be painful and difficult. Doctors may typically manage chronic knee pain with anti-inflammatories, but at some point surgery may be the only answer. Total knee replacement surgery can resolve long-term pain, but the recovery process is normally very long.

Consider Your Doctor's Referral

• Your primary care doctor or nurse practitioner may have a list of recommended orthopedic surgeons to consult for knee surgery. Many specialists require a referral from a general physician before agreeing to see them. Your primary physician will forward records of your previous medical care to any specialists you choose to consult.

Check With Your Insurance Provider

• Check with your insurance provider about your coverage. Many insurance companies, especially health maintenance organizations, require patients to see only certain doctors within their network. Your insurance company may have different coverage levels depending on whether you see a doctor within their preferred network or if you go to one outside the network.

Ask about Qualifications

• Interview prospective orthopedic surgeons about their medical qualifications. A more experienced, better educated surgeon is likely to be more capable of performing the surgery. More competent surgical technique reduces the risk of complications and increases the odds that the surgery will be successful. Ask the surgeon about where he trained, the number of years he has been in practice, any specializations and the number of procedures he has performed. Doctors with more years in practice and more procedures performed may be better qualified and less likely to make preventable mistakes.

Consider Rapport

• Meet the surgeon and consider your impressions of her. Although you also should consider other factors, such as referrals and her qualifications, it's important to feel that you have a good rapport with your surgeon. You should feel that your surgeon is likable and feel comfortable with her because surgery requires trust in the doctor's skill.