Even though there are plenty of hip and knee replacement surgeons in Centreville, VA, finding the right one can be a challenge. Choosing the right surgeon is the first step towards a successful procedure. The following are a few important questions for your Centreville, VA hip and knee replacement specialist before surgery.
- What results should I expect?
If you have specific goals, find out if the surgery can help you attain them. Let your surgeon know about your specific goals and expectations and find out what you can do to increase your likelihood of attaining them. You may need to know if surgery will:
- Allow you to participate in particular sports and hobbies
- Eliminate a limp
- Help you have sex more comfortably
- Reduce the need for medication
- Allow you to wear socks
- Allow you to clip your toenails
Different people may experience different results depending on their general health and anatomy. Talking about your expectations before surgery can improve post-surgical satisfaction. It can help you understand your condition better.
- Who will answer my questions before and after surgery?
You should have a specialist to answer your questions before and after surgery. Having the right surgeon is not enough. They should have a competent team of experts as well. The team should be able to give you online and written reference material.
- What does physical therapy entail?
Physical therapy is an important part of the recovery process and you should find out what it entails. In the first few weeks after surgery, you may need to stretch and exercise regularly. You may also need to schedule one-on-one appointments while going through physical therapy. The number of times you see a physical therapist depends on the details of your case.
- How much experience do you have?
Working with an experienced surgeon is always a good idea. Do not be afraid to ask this question as it may determine their performance. Find out how many times they have performed similar procedures and their success rate. Ideally, you should work with a surgeon who has performed at least 50 procedures with minimal complications.
- What are the potential complications of the procedure?
Like with any other major surgery, you should find out the potential complications before getting hip and knee replacement surgery. Possible risks include deep vein thrombosis and infections. If you have pre-existing medical conditions, find out if they increase your risk of complications.
- How can I prevent common injuries?
Your surgeon should let you know how you can prevent common injuries and reduce the need for knee and hip surgery in the future. Even though it is impossible to avoid the risks completely, there are lots of ways to minimize your risk.
After asking the right questions and having them answered, you can go into surgery feeling comfortable and confident. You can set realistic expectations and prepare accordingly. If you do not feel confident in the ability of your surgeon to answer those questions, it may be wise to get a second opinion.