Knowing how to find the best orthopedic doctors is not an easy feat, especially when you have no idea what exactly you are looking for in the first place. But, once you start your search armed with referrals, details on specialties and credentials and with the right questions to ask regarding a doctor’s experience, you can be more confident in making a choice.

Know about orthopedic treatments

A physician who went through extensive training in orthopedic medicine is knowledgeable in the proper evaluation and treatment of the human musculoskeletal system, which is basically all moving parts of your body. The orthopedic surgeons have been through a minimum of five years of training aside from the four years they spent in college and another four years in medical school, plus a year in general surgery and four more years in orthopedic surgery. Those who specialize in orthopedics can be described as surgeons or doctors with both able to prescribe the necessary treatment, orthotics and treatments and the surgeons being qualified to conduct an operation.

Experience

While it is important to check the time that a doctor is in practice, it is also a must to look into the kind of work he has done during that particular time. If you are looking for someone who can work on your spine, it is recommended to choose someone with at least half of his time spent in the operating room conducting spine surgery. It is also important to know a surgeon’s sub-specialties and his board certification.

Specialties and Sub-specialties

These doctors can select from a plethora of specialties, allowing them to treat different conditions. Congenital conditions, injuries, disease and aging can all have an effect on the musculoskeletal system while the soft tissue, joint and bone problems compound the complexity of the demands of these doctors. Although there are sub-specialties, the key categories are ankle and foot, orthopedic trauma, musculoskeletal oncology, hand, pediatric, trauma, elbow and spine, sports medicine, spine surgery and the total joint reconstruction surgery.

Certification

To be certified by the board, these doctors need to undergo a rigorous program. After almost 15 years of studying to be a surgeon and a minimum of 8 years for a non-surgeon, he must take the standardized exam followed by the oral exam focusing on the surgical and clinical performance of the doctor for the past 6 months. When board certified, you can be confident that the doctor is validated by the authoritative organization.

Referrals

Having a good referral to a doctor in orthopedics will help you a lot when deciding on who you should choose. Your primary care physician who knows your condition firsthand may have some good recommendations. Also, since most people will suffer from some form of back pain, you may have a family member or friend who can suggest a doctor. Your health insurance agency or local hospital may also refer you to someone.

Whether you have elbow surgery woodbridge va or fractures in your shoulder, make sure that you look for the most reliable and trustworthy doctor who can help you get back to your normal life all over again.