When it comes to musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, only the best orthopedic specialists should be considered. As such, if you are suffering from a shoulder injury or painful symptoms that need to be diagnosed, take time to choose the right shoulder surgeon for yourself.
Here are some tips on how to choose the best shoulder surgeon.
Research
It’s never been easier to research the best shoulder surgeons in your area. Using a smartphone, iPad, laptop, or desktop computer, simply do an internet search for “best shoulder surgeon near me.” Explore the doctors that come up, their experience, education, and specializations. A doctor’s website can often give insight into their professionalism, expertise, and perspective on how to care for patients. You may also find patient reviews that can help you assess what other patients like you think of them.
Ask For Referrals
Your friends and family, as well as your primary care physician, can provide referrals for shoulder surgeons. Since your friends and family know you very well, they can inform you about a specialist’s communication style, treatment options, and the practice’s environment based on what you like. For example, if you want a doctor who is very friendly, your friends and family will refer you to doctors who match this preference.
Schedule an Appointment
No matter how much word-of-mouth reviews and online research you do, nothing beats physically meeting with a doctor to get a feel of them and their practice. Once you have a shortlist of physicians you are considering, schedule appointments with each to learn more about them.
Helpful questions you can ask a shoulder surgeon include:
- What treatment do you recommend for my shoulder problem?
- If the doctor recommends surgery, ask if he does a minimally invasive technique? Also, ask for the doctor’s complication rates.
- How experienced are you in the treatment you recommend? It’s better to choose a shoulder surgeon who specializes in said treatment for positive outcomes and fewer complications.
- What should I expect before, during, and after treatment?
- What complications have arisen in patients that have undergone the same treatment/surgery?
- Are there any alternative, nonsurgical treatment methods you think I could try first?
Aside from paying attention to what a shoulder surgeon answers is how he answers them. You want a doctor who is willing to listen to you and is a good communicator. Compassion, care, honesty, and a genuine interest in wanting to help you get better are important. The way a clinic is run and how the staff treats patients also speaks volumes about whether the doctor practices personalized patient-centric care.
Shoulder Surgeon in Palm Beach, FL
Dr. Steve Meadows at South Palm Orthopedics is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon fellowship-trained in hand and upper extremity surgery. Dr. Meadows considers it a privilege to be able to change your life for the better through a skillful fixing of your shoulder problem. With Dr. Meadows’ advanced training in upper extremity surgery, he can also treat problems of the hand, wrist, and elbow.
In our orthopedic clinic in Palm Beach, we offer the latest and most exciting advancements in surgical technology. If your shoulder problem is related to your occupation, South Palm Orthopedics is a leader in diagnosing and treating workers’ compensation injuries.
For any questions about our treatments or to make an appointment with one of the best shoulder surgeons in Palm Beach, call our South Palm Orthopedics clinic at 561-496-6622 or use our appointment request form. We are proud to serve Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Boca Raton, and the surrounding cities.
