Three Important Questions When Seeking an Orthopedic Specialist

When injury or pain begins to limit the things you can do, it’s time to seek the advice and treatment of a trusted physician. If the source of your problem is related to your muscles, ligaments, tendons or bones, it is a musculoskeletal issue. Musculoskeletal injuries and conditions are treated by an orthopedic specialist – and can range from a common sprain or fracture to more complex concerns such as arthritis and chronic back pain. 

Finding the right orthopedic specialist to meet your needs isn’t always intuitive, but it is important. The right physician will be someone you can trust with a balance of education, expertise and experience specific to your needs. 

EDUCATION

Every specialty within the musculoskeletal field has a unique set of education and training requirements. This is important because while a primary care sports medicine physician, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, AND an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon can all treat sports medicine issues – their training is very different. The first two are primarily trained to restore function and performance through non-surgical treatment options, while an orthopedic surgeon is trained in both non-surgical and surgical treatment options. 

Likewise, if you’re facing a foot and ankle injury, it’s important to understand the training requirements for both a podiatrist and an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon. If you’re struggling with chronic back pain, it’s valuable to understand the role of a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician and a fellowship-trained orthopedic neck and spine surgeon. In some cases, you’ll find these specialists working collaboratively within the same environment. 

You should be able to easily find a physician’s education and training online. Look closely at the type of residency and fellowship-training they have completed and consider if it’s the right fit for your needs.

EXPERTISE

Expertise goes a step beyond education and training. It is the continual investment of time spent on research, new techniques, and improvement of outcomes within a specific specialty. 

Some questions to consider when establishing a physician’s expertise: 

  • Is this physician an educator or author in her field? 
  • Is he committed to advancing positive outcomes through research? 
  • What do past patients and medical industry peers say about her? 

It’s also valuable to assess the expertise of the practice overall? Where a physician chooses to practice can also say a great deal about their approach to patient care and the values that matter most to them. 

EXPERIENCE

Experience is more than simply the number of years in practice, rather it is the cumulative exposure to a specific injury, condition or procedure that builds a depth of understanding on the subject. A doctor’s experience directly correlates with fewer complications for his or her patients, and better outcomes.

Some things to consider – and even ask – as you research the right specialist:

  • How often does this physician treat this kind of problem? 
  • If you believe surgery may be necessary, it’s important to ask how many cases he or she performs in a week, a month or a year? 
  • Research quality measures when available. Medicare’s Physician Compare website publishes physician performance scores on various self-reported quality metrics.
  • Ask friends who’ve had experiences with similar injuries or procedures.

DID YOU KNOW? A referral is NOT always required when seeking treatment from a specialist. When you experience an orthopedic issue of any kind, you can call to schedule an appointment with any Orthopedic ONE physician without a referral (unless mandated by your insurance provider). This can drastically reduce the number of appointments required and help you reach a diagnosis sooner, putting you on the path to recovery sooner. 

So, where do you begin?

If the injury is acute (or urgent) and needs immediate treatment, you might start with a visit to a nearby urgent care, or even the emergency room. Most physicians working in these environments are trained to assess and treat only your initial needs, and then refer you to a specialist for further evaluation, treatment or follow-up. 

For more chronic conditions or less-serious injuries, you might start directly with a search for an orthopedic specialist, or with a visit to your primary care physician to seek a referral to a specialist. 

In both situations, the decision to seek care from a specialist and finding the right one is critical to a successful outcome. And, to the surprise of many, the decision is completely yours. While the urgent care, ER or primary care physician may have provided you with a referral to a specific practice or even a specific specialist – the choice is yours. 

Most importantly, the right physician will respect your questions, listen to your concerns – and will work collaboratively with you and your entire care team to develop a personalized plan that suits your needs. 

DID YOU KNOW? At Orthopedic ONE, our team will always begin with a conservative approach to treatment, when appropriate. This may include physical therapy and exercise, anti-inflammatory drugs, or steroid injections. However, when surgery is necessary, experience is critical. Learn more about Orthopedic ONE’s expertise.