Picking an orthopaedic surgeon matters more than most people think. The right one can mean a smooth recovery. The wrong one can mean months of complications. These eight questions will help you figure out who you're trusting with your body.
1. What is your sub-specialty?
Orthopaedic surgery has eight recognized sub-specialties: joint replacement, sports medicine, spine, shoulder, hand and wrist, foot and ankle, trauma, and pediatric. A surgeon who focuses on your specific condition will have deeper expertise and higher procedure volumes than a generalist.
Surgeons who perform more of a given procedure tend to have better outcomes and fewer complications. This is well-documented in the research.
2. Are you board certified?
Board certification by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) means a surgeon has completed an accredited residency and passed rigorous exams. It's not legally required to practice, but it's a reliable indicator of training quality.
3. How many of this procedure do you perform per year?
Volume matters. For major procedures like joint replacement, surgeons who perform 50 or more per year generally have lower complication rates. Don't be afraid to ask. Most surgeons are comfortable sharing this.
4. What are your complication rates?
Every surgery carries risk. A surgeon worth trusting will be willing to discuss their complication rates and how they compare to national averages. Ask about infection rate, revision rate, and readmission rate.
5. What non-surgical options have we exhausted?
A good surgeon should talk through all treatment options, not just surgery. Physical therapy, injections, medication, and activity modification should typically be tried first (except in cases of acute trauma).
6. Which hospital or surgery center do you operate at?
The facility matters. Ask about:
- Infection rates and safety records
- Whether the facility is accredited
- Availability of specialized orthopaedic nursing staff
- Post-operative rehabilitation services
7. What does recovery look like?
Understanding the recovery timeline helps you plan. Ask about:
- Expected hospital stay
- When you can drive, return to work, and resume activities
- Physical therapy requirements
- Pain management approach
8. Do you accept my insurance?
Verify insurance acceptance before scheduling. Out-of-network surgery can result in significant unexpected costs. Ask the surgeon's office to verify your specific plan, not just the insurance company name.
Red flags to watch for
- The surgeon recommends surgery without trying conservative treatment first
- Unwillingness to discuss complication rates or alternatives
- Pressure to schedule surgery immediately (except for true emergencies)
- Office staff that can't answer basic insurance questions
- Difficulty getting a second opinion
