Choosing a Surgeon
The surgeon you choose to do your bunion surgery may be the most important choice you make during this process.
Obviously surgeons with significant experience in the area may be better suited to perform your surgery. This does not mean you are guaranteed not to have a complication, rather the experienced surgeon may have less technical associated complications. Additionally, an experienced foot surgeon may better choose the type of surgery that’s best suited for you.
Some guidelines to help you through the process are listed below:
Find a Board Certified Surgeon
The quickest way to feel confident that your surgeon is qualified to perform your surgery is to find a Board Certified surgeon. This is probably the most important thing you can do. Board Certification status indicates that the surgeon has demonstrated to his/her peers a specific knowledge in the area.
For Podiatric Surgeons the most recognized surgical Board Certification is the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. Orthopedists are Certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, however, not all orthopedists specialize in foot surgery.
Foot and Ankle surgery is performed by both Podiatric Surgeons and Orthopedists. Both professions have excellent Surgeons as well as those who are less than excellent. You should pick your Surgeon based on his/her specific training in the field of foot surgery, individual experience, qualifications and “bed-side manner”.
Overall Experience
Experience counts! It is likely that a Surgeon with significant experience will better be able to perform your surgery as well as manage any complications that may occur after your Surgery. Does age matter? A little bit of gray hair often makes you feel better when picking a Surgeon. You would like to think that your Surgeon got those gray hairs (or lost hair) during his years of experience and sleepless nights caring for his or her patients. While there is probably some truth to this, younger Surgeons may have more experience, employ advanced techniques and/or utilize the latest technology.
Is your Surgeon considered a local or national expect in the field?
Obviously, if your Surgeon is lecturing locally, nationally, or internationally to other physicians then it is likely your surgeon is quite experienced in the field. If other doctors want to hear your surgeon speak at a conference, then rest assured you likely have found an excellent doctor. However, your surgeon doesn't need to be nationally recognized to do an outstanding job.
Is your Surgeon published in peer-reviewed journals?
While publishing scientific articles doesn’t speak much for technical skills, it typically indicates that your Surgeon is interested in advancement of the profession. This is a good thing. Additionally, publishing in peer-reviewed journals is a very time consuming process indicating the publication is reviewed by others in the field. You can search for yourself on-line at the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health database – click here. Just type in your doctors last name and first initial (middle initial will focus the search) in the tool bar (example John Michael Smith: Smith JM).
Journals dedicated to the field of foot and ankle surgery are:
- Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery.
- Foot & Ankle International.
What do other patients say about your Surgeon?
Ask your doctor if you could talk to other patients who have had the surgery. Sometimes it’s helpful to talk with others who have been operated on by your Surgeon. People will typically be honest about their experiences. Of course, your doctor will put you in touch with patients that probably had good or excellent results. Nonetheless, this step may be helpful as you make your decision.
Do a google or yahoo search on your Surgeon.
A general internet search on your doctor may not tell you much about his or her capabilities but this gives you an opportunity to learn more about your Surgeon.
What else can I do to find a Surgeon?
- Call your local hospital or surgery center to see who is on staff - ask for recommendations.
- Ask friends, family and co-workers if they have had foot surgery. You'll be surpised how many people have had an operation on their foot
- Ask your general doctor. Depending on your covereage and if you are in a managed care plan, you may only be given names of participating Surgeons. Some managed care plans may limit your ability to see specialists.
- Check the phone book and see which Surgeons are in your area as starting point.
My surgeon is on the news, radio or appears in the newspaper.
It would be great if appearing on the news or in the newspaper means that you surgeon is well qualified. Be aware that some doctors may pay a publicist for these opportunities.
What about Cosmetic Foot Surgery?
Cosmetic foot surgery refers to performing foot surgery for cosmetic reasons rather than for the purposes of pain relief or restoring foot function. It does not mean that you will have a better cosmetic result if you have your foot problem surgically corrected by a Surgeon who claims to do cosmetic foot surgery. The surgical procedures to correct the foot deformities are exactly the same, whether or not the reason to correct the problem is simply for aesthetic purposes.
SurgeryBunion.com does not currently provide any Surgeon referrals.
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