Many of us have suffered musculoskeletal pain and injuries throughout our lives, whether it be broken bones, finger fractures, impingements, or carpal tunnel syndrome. And there are plenty of options to receive care. But if you’re looking for the right orthopedic surgeon, we want you to feel confident that you’ve made the best choice for you or your loved ones.
Orthopedic surgeons prevent, diagnose, and treat disorders of the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Sometimes, this requires surgery to improve function and eliminate pain. Other times, non-invasive, conservative treatments like splinting, medication, injections, physical therapy, and even rest will do the trick. That said, what can you look for when choosing the right orthopedic surgeon to address your unique situation?
An Orthopedic Surgeon Can Help With These Symptoms
- Impaired functions or weakness
- Loss of sensation
- Loss of movement
- Numbness and tingling
- Debilitating pain
- Deformities
- Arthritis
- Joint instability
- Chronic pain from an old injury
The Benefits of Orthopedic Medicine Are Hard to Ignore
Your family doctor can help with many bone, muscle, or joint pain issues. But every year, more people just like you are recognizing the benefits of orthopedic medicine, which includes everything from treating acute and traumatic injuries to managing chronic pain. It also covers diagnosing diseases that can affect your long-term quality of life. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, these are medical doctors who have completed a total of approximately 14 years of formal education. Board-certified orthopedic surgeons must maintain their certification with continuous, lifelong learning.
In addition, they must demonstrate their expertise on a regular basis with an oral or written examination. They have extensive training in both non-surgical and surgical options. Furthermore, they see all types of patients—from newborns to athletes, weekend warriors, the elderly, and everyday folks who suffer from reduced quality of life.
Just a few of the more common orthopedic issues these physicians see include:
- Hand and wrist pain
- Elbow pain
- Shoulder pain
- Sprains, strains, fractures, and broken bones
- Impingements
- Back or neck pain
- Knee pain
- Hip pain
- Ankle or foot pain
Depending on your situation, you don’t have to be referred by another doctor to see an orthopedic surgeon. Therefore, you can schedule an appointment directly with the office of your choice.
5 Tips To Find the Right Orthopedic Surgeon
1. Ask your primary doctor
You are used to visiting your doctor regularly for annual exams, illnesses, and other general care needs. But when facing a musculoskeletal condition that is becoming increasingly severe, it’s common for your primary doctor to refer patients to an orthopedic surgeon. While this may surprise you—especially if you prefer going to the same doctor for everything—this is a good thing in terms of continuity of care. Furthermore, a referral opens the door to all available treatment options so that you can make a more informed decision about what’s in your best interests.
More importantly, it’s a sign that you are in good hands. Receiving a referral from your primary doctor takes a lot of the guesswork out of finding the right orthopedic surgeon. Our physicians at Fort Worth Hand Center foster a team approach with your referring primary doctor, including communicating with them if there is anything critical to know and offering follow-up notes with details on how any procedures went.
2. Research the practice
Orthopedic surgeons are not difficult to find—even if your primary doctor doesn’t work with anyone in particular. Narrow your search to your immediate area first, then expand from there. Once you have a list of potential orthopedic surgeons, research each practice individually online, phone, and in person.
As you do, consider these questions:
- How long have they been in business?
- Do they specialize in my specific injury or condition?
- Does their facility look warm and inviting?
- What’s their approach to each patient and situation?
- Was the staff competent and friendly when I called?
- Do they accept my insurance?
- Did they answer all my questions?
- Are they certified in their field and/or have they received any awards or other recognition?
3. Read online patient reviews and testimonials
If you know someone (a parent, family member, friend, etc.) who has seen an orthopedic surgeon, ask them who they chose and if they had a good experience. Their first-hand knowledge can be crucial to ensuring you feel comfortable with your choice. If you don’t know anyone personally, you can also search for online reviews that provide more intimate details from actual patients. Google prohibits gaiting, that is, the act of soliciting only positive reviews, so you can trust the reviews on Google factually represent true experiences from real people.
4. Look for options in care
The good news with orthopedic care is that in today’s world, you have options. It’s not like the old days when doctors immediately suggested surgery. That’s not to suggest that surgery isn’t the best option for your unique situation. But many alternatives exist, including minimally invasive options. If possible, minimally invasive surgery allows surgeons to perform these surgeries in a way that results in “keyhole” incisions, significantly less post-operative pain, less damage to tissue and less stiffness during healing, and higher precision. Your Fort Worth orthopedic surgeon can use minimally invasive surgery to repair everything from torn tendons and ligaments to providing relief from carpal tunnel syndrome, injuries that have caused deformities, bone spurs, and more.
5. Provide good communication
Working with an orthopedic surgeon who is open to back-and-forth dialogue and answering every question or concern provides incredible peace of mind. Setting expectations along the way and honoring your wishes helps you feel more in control and have less fear of treatment.
Early Intervention Is Critical
Many patients who visit a Fort Worth orthopedic surgeon are there for sprains, strains, fractures, torn ligaments, etc. Others are there for more chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, repetitive strain, degenerative diseases, tendonitis, etc.
It is imperative that anyone who has persistent pain seeks an evaluation sooner rather than later. Waiting can lead to lengthier and perhaps more invasive treatment plans and a long road to recovery. Your Fort Worth orthopedic surgeon will do a thorough evaluation to get to the bottom of what exactly is ailing you and then advise on a course of action for returning you to enjoying life again.
Find the Best Orthopedic Surgeon Practice in Fort Worth
No one should live with musculoskeletal pain. Sadly, many suffer in silence or do not receive a proper diagnosis to avoid many of the telltale symptoms that can make daily life uncomfortable. If you want to reclaim your life, take the time to find the right orthopedic surgeon for your unique needs. And if you are worried about finding the right one for you, we hope the tips above will ease any of those concerns.
Are you tired of hurting? Do you want relief for your hand, wrist, finger, or arm pain? Our experienced and talented team is committed to working with you to create a pleasant experience at every visit. From the fingertips to the elbow, Fort Worth Hand Center treats everything from sports injuries and joint replacement to chronic conditions, age-related complications, and trauma. We offer highly experienced hand surgeons in Fort Worth. We care about our patients and strive to provide the best medical treatment. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call 817-877-3277 or complete the form below.
Prior to starting any new treatment or if you have questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Fort Worth Hand Center serves the DFW area, including Mansfield, Newark, North Richland Hills, Pantego, Pelican Bay, Richland Hills, River Oaks, Saginaw, Sansom Park, Southlake, Trophy Club, Watauga, Westlake, Westover Hills, Westworth Village, White Settlement, Arlington, Azle, Bedford, Benbrook, Blue Mound, Burleson, Colleyville, Crowley, Dallas, Dalworthington Gardens, Edgecliff Village, Euless, Everman, Flower Mound, Forest Hill, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Haltom City, Haslet, Hurst, Keller, Kennedale, Lakeside, Lake Worth, and all of North Texas.
*Patient stories are true. Names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.