Compare doctors side by side based on your needs

If you’re experiencing joint pain, your family doctor may refer you to an orthopedic surgeon. But what happens when that surgeon doesn’t meet your needs? Don’t be afraid to advocate for your care. If you are looking for an orthopedic surgeon, here are a few things to consider.

1. Location: You’ll want to determine how far you’re willing to travel to see the doctor. Do you want to find a qualified orthopedic surgeon near you? Or would you rather go to a larger city? There are many ways to locate orthopedic surgeons, such as the websites for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the American Medical Association.
2. Seek referrals: Friends, family, and even acquaintances can be gold mines for finding information on doctors. Other places you can find surgeon referral information are social media, online patient reviews, your family doctor, your local hospital, and a simple internet search. 
3. Insurance coverage: Whether or not your insurance will cover your procedure can be a huge factor in whether or not you end up having surgery. Your insurance provider can also advise which surgeons are in-network and which are not
4. Surgeon credentials: There are several specialties within the field of orthopedics, including sports medicine, joint replacement, extremities, and so forth. Make sure to select a surgeon practicing in the specialty you need. It’s also a good idea to verify their specific schooling, training, years in practice, cases per year, and experience with difficult cases. The American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons can be a useful resource. 
5. Bedside manner: It can be difficult to determine a surgeon’s bedside manner without actually meeting them. So it may be a good idea to set up a consultation. Sometimes you can get a feel for this on a surgeon’s website. Make sure you are comfortable with the surgeon you select.