10 Tips for Finding an Orthopedic Surgeon
Orthopedic surgeons are vital for helping you get back to the activities you enjoy, whether it’s playing a game of pickup basketball on the weekends or perfecting your golf swing at one of Myrtle Beach’s award-winning golf courses.
But where do you begin when searching for a doctor, and what should you do if you need surgery?
If you need a Myrtle Beach orthopedic doctor, Conway Medical Center has experienced orthopedic surgeons on staff who offer compassionate care coupled with extensive expertise.
In this article, we’ll provide you some valuable tips for finding an orthopedic surgeon, including important aspects you should consider.
Top 10 Tips for Finding an Orthopedic Surgeon in Myrtle Beach
1. Solid Credentials
Of course, you know your orthopedic surgeon must have credentials, but which ones are important?
One of the most important is board certification, so it’s imperative to look for that designation. Board certification means they have passed a rigorous testing and training process to earn this designation.
At Conway Medical Center, not only are our doctors board certified, but they are also all fellowship trained.
2. Experience
Orthopedic problems can be complex, involving several aspects of bone and muscle. You want to ensure that your orthopedic doctor has the experience to solve the underlying issue instead of merely treating symptoms.
If you need a specific procedure, you should ask how many surgeries of that type that the surgeon has performed.
At Conway Medical Center, you’ll find board-certified orthopedic surgeons with extensive experience in:
- Joint replacement
- Sports injuries
- Pain management
- Osteoporosis treatment
They also have extensive concentration in injuries or illnesses affecting the:
- Spine
- Foot
- Ankle
- Hip
- Hand
- Wrist
- Knee
- Shoulder
- Elbow
This experience allows our surgeons to treat a wide array of issues, from carpal tunnel syndrome to spinal stenosis.
3. Someone Who Will Listen
When you are placing your trust in your orthopedic doctor, you want to be sure you have someone who will listen to you. A good orthopedic surgeon in Myrtle Beach will address your concerns and take time to answer all your questions.
4. A Quality Hospital
It has a direct effect on your physician and the quality of care you’ll receive.
While technically this has more to do with the facility than your doctor, it is still an important aspect of your care because your orthopedic doctor has privileges at the hospital where you will be receiving treatment. Therefore, it’s important that your doctor practices at a quality hospital to complement the orthopedic services you’ll be receiving from them.
At Conway Medical Center, we’ve been recognized as the #1 hospital in the state by Care Chex for orthopedic care, joint replacement, major orthopedic surgery and spinal surgery.
5. An Orthopedic Doctor Who Takes Your Insurance
You don’t want a surprise when it comes to your health care, and it’s important to be clear on whether or not your Myrtle Beach doctor is in network.
At Conway Medical Center, we work with all the major insurance carriers, but we encourage you to contact your insurance representative to be sure you understand what is covered.
6. Great Recommendations
If you know someone who has had similar orthopedic procedures, ask them about their quality of care from their orthopedic doctor. You should also consider recommendations from your primary care physician or from testimonials from satisfied patients.
7. The Orthopedic Doctor’s Specialty
Orthopedics covers a wide range of injuries and illnesses that affect the entire body. Some surgeons concentrate on joint replacement while others may specialize in spinal surgery. It’s important to know if your surgeon has a concentration in the specialty you need.
8. Education and Credentials
Examine where your surgeon received their training, paying close attention to any commendations, awards, or publications. We believe you’ll find that, at Conway Medical Center, we’ve teamed with some of the most experienced doctors who have stellar academic credentials.
9. Membership in Medical Associations
Why is this important?
It demonstrates the orthopedic doctor’s dedication to the specialty, indicating that they devote time outside their practice to be involved with organizations that will keep them abreast of the latest developments in orthopedic surgery.
10. A Surgeon Who Tries Alternatives to Surgery
While surgery may be warranted in many cases, most orthopedic doctors want to concentrate on trying to treat the problem without surgery if at all possible. This may include physical therapy, cortisone shots or other innovative techniques.
Need Tips for Finding an Orthopedic Surgeon? Look No Further Than Conway Medical Center
Orthopedic pain affects every aspect of your life. It keeps you off the golf course and makes it difficult to do even the simplest activities—including playing with your kids.
That’s why we offer the complete scope of orthopedic services, including our award-winning joint replacement center and orthopedic surgery. If you look closely, you’ll find we check all the boxes in the top 10 list above.
We have physicians who have extensive experience in sports medicine, comprehensive pain management and foot and ankle surgery.
Don’t let chronic pain from orthopedic problems keep you from enjoying life. Speak to your primary care provider for a referral or contact us today at 843-347-7111. In addition, you can also request an appointment online.
