Every year, millions of Americans are diagnosed with orthopaedic injuries, and for some, surgery is the best recovery solution. Like other types of surgery, orthopaedic surgery achieves the best results when you have a skilled, experienced orthopaedic surgeon at your side.
As a top-ranked orthopaedic surgeon in Sugar Land and Houston, Texas, J. Michael Bennett, MD, wants patients to feel confident selecting their surgeon. He and his team offer the following tips for choosing the right provider for your upcoming surgery.
Orthopaedic surgery is only recommended when conservative treatment options like physical therapy aren’t effective in providing long-term, meaningful symptom relief or in some cases where injuries are too severe for conservative treatment.
Generally speaking, surgery is recommended if:
Even when surgery is the best choice, he may recommend conservative treatment first to give your body time to heal before your procedure.
Most people do plenty of research when choosing a car or a home. You should take the same approach when selecting a surgeon. After all, your body and your health depend on ensuring your surgery goes well, so researching your surgeon makes a lot of sense. Here are a few tips that can help.
Board certification means the surgeon has passed professional-level scrutiny aimed at assessing their skills in their specific field. In essence, it provides patients with validation that the surgeon they’re considering has the skills and training to perform their procedure. Dr. Bennett is board certified in orthopedic surgery and fellowship-trained in sports medicine and arthroscopy.
All MDs and DOs go through medical school. For orthopedic surgery, you want a doctor who has had specialized training beyond medical school and their five-year orthopaedics residency.
For instance, Dr. Bennett has had a year of specialized training in arthroscopic and minimally-invasive orthopaedic surgery and additional education in sports medicine. During his training (and beyond), he’s worked with teams at the University of Miami and Tampa Bay, using state-of-the-art techniques for complex reconstructive surgery and other procedures.
Ultimately, you’re trusting your orthopaedic surgeon with your health and wellness. It’s essential to make sure you feel confident in the doctor and their skills. But it's also critical to feel comfortable asking questions and voicing your concerns with the doctor.
Make sure the doctor you select takes the time to explain your condition, your treatment options, and why surgery is the best option for you specifically. You and your surgeon need to work together as a team to help you enjoy the best possible outcome. If you don’t feel comfortable and confident in your doctor’s skills or presence, it’s probably not a good “fit.”
You can also check online reviews or ask your friends or family members for referrals. But remember that the answers you receive will be more subjective while doing your own research can help you feel completely confident that you’ve made the right choice for your health needs.
For several years, Dr. Bennett has been selected as a Texas Super Doctor® by his peers, an honor that reflects his deep commitment to his patients and surgical skills. To learn more about Dr. Bennett or find out about a specific type of surgery, call or book a visit online today.
