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[grateful]

 

[MagnoliaMs]

Hi Friends,
Just had consultation with primary doc about the x-rays. I am indeed b-o-b on bone in both hips but do get relief from Advil. He said I am looking at surgery but not necessarily tomorrow. I have time to plan since I can manage but I am narrowing my world -- walking the dog, cleaning, gardening and even managing parking lots. All getting more demanding.

So I continue. I have read a bunch here. Thanks so much. Have a few questions as I begin the "surgeon search".Would you put any stock into the reports of Healthgrades or Vitals? My doc suggested a few here in town whom I know have had good reviews by ortho nurses in the area-sent out some feelers. (But am not sure they are not generalists.)

Another one he wasn't keen on due to his outcomes has a five star rating on healthgrades. That makes me wonder -- not about my doc -- but about Healthgrades. Would you ask for patient testimonials -- patients you could actually talk to? Or is that a no-no? Just where does one get a professional opinion if one doesn't have a doctor in the family? How does one get the "real scoop"? :th_scratch: As was mentioned here on the forum everywhere has a few happy clients!
Thanks all!

 

[Josephine]

Well, that's the $60,000 question! How do you choose? Basically, you have to do some leg work and research. You can start in our Find a Clinic feature at the top of the page and find a list of clinics. Then you can look at their websites, find their hip surgeons and then start phoning! Use this article How to choose a surgeon and a prosthesis for some questions to ask. Then decide with whom you want to have an appointment and put the rest of the questions to him. Interview two, three or even more surgeons and then make your choice.

 

[MagnoliaMs]

Josephine----I had my questions and called the joint replacement health line at the hospital. She was helpful for many questions but concerning the number of procedures and who did what types--some do anterior--she said I should talk to the nurse practioner at their clinic. Sounded reasonable. But the NP who was quite pleasant said I had to ask the individual docs about that. How do I know which one to schedule with if I can't find out who does the most of the type I am interested in? I didn't want to be unpleasant, so I didn't make any comment to that effect and it is probably out of her hands anyway.
Both or rather all three have great credentials and good ratings on Healthgrades--maybe one has four stars and the other two five stars. But I would like to know # of procedures before I schedule the appt. Darn! :th_2tantrum2:

 

[MagnoliaMs]

Need a little more advice. But first--would it be best to stay with this thread as my questions pop up or to start a new thread when the questions change? I don't want to be a nuisance.

So as I mentioned I called the clinic for info and was told to ask the dr. when
I came in for an appt.But I have to choose among three doc in the clinic and how do I choose if I don't know comparable experiences or type of surgery
performed--anterior--robotic assisted-or traditional? Is this common--that one has to see the dr. for detailed info or is the office staff/nurse practioner usually able to give out that info. I don't know if this should be a turnoff here or just an inconvenience.

When facing this formidable circumstance it seems every little thing seems
an enormous hill to climb! :rolf:

 

[Jamie]

I think you're fine in this thread.

You won't be able to talk with patients. Privacy laws prevent any type of medical information about others from being made public. But that's okay.....you can find out what you need to know from talking with the doctors.

Someone at the clinic should be able to tell you if a surgeon uses the approach you are interested in. I'm surprised the NP would say that. They know.....

But if you absolutely cannot find out, then pick one and make an appointment. Since all the doctors you are interested in are at the same clinic, the worst that would happen would be that you'd have to make another appointment. Spending a few extra dollars on copays is really worth it to find just the right person.

 

[Josephine]

Listen - you are interviewing them to see which one you feel most comfortable with. So make a short list, then make appointments to see them all. Take your written list of questions and tell him you intend to ask him these.

In that thread, I said "Any surgeon worth his salt will not only be ready and willing to discuss these but will have the figures ready to hand. Any hint of reluctance, offence or waffle, go find yourself another surgeon!"

One member here said that her surgeon took the paper from her, sat down at his desk and wrote all the answers down like he was taking an exam! They don't (or shouldn't) mind being asked this stuff.

Look at it another way. If you were having an extension built on your home, would you take the first builder you phoned and let him have the contract? Wouldn't you ask him questions about his work, let him suggest ideas about the work and expect to have some references from satisfied customers? Wouldn't you get a variety of quotes and submissions before you let him have the contract? Isn't this way, way more important than an extension on your house?

 

[MagnoliaMs]

Thanks Jamie--so if I see one doc at the clinic who isn't "the one" it is ok to see another one at the same clinic? I think I am too sensitive about this stuff. Like I wouldn't even do that with a hair stylist!! I don't think it is because I am too polite--but rather since they will have me in their drill sights, I don't want to be "the patient from hell:"

Am I right in thinking that a surgeon in a group practice that has fellows coming in from around the country from top medical schools would have a default peer review as opposed to someone in partnership with his best buddy.

 

[Josephine]

Meaning he will be better? I'm not sure what you mean.

 

[Jamie]

Me either, Magnolia.....not sure what you're asking. Can you say it in a little different way?

At any rate, you have EVERY right to choose the doctor you want. You're the paying customer, remember??? These are big boys. They can take it if they are not the one you choose.

 

[MagnoliaMs]

It is pretty tough to get real peer review of a doctor unless one's own primary doctor knows their work. And to me, what a peer thinks is a big deal.

So what I was suggesting is that one way to get a peer review indirectly would be if a particuar doctor worked in a group of six or so doctors and that clinic had Fellows coming in for fellowships from topnotch medical schools. In order to get these Fellows this clinic would (I suppose) have some credibility and standing in the eyes of these medical schools.

A group like that would want to maintain a high standard and therefore demand good outcomes and standards of care from their group members.
I was asking if you would agree that being part of such a group should be considered a "seal of approval"? That it would be one way to get an indirect positive peer evaluation?

 

[MagnoliaMs]

Listen - you are interviewing them to see which one you feel most comfortable with. So make a short list, then make appointments to see them all. Take your written list of questions and tell him you intend to ask him these.

In that thread, I said "Any surgeon worth his salt will not only be ready and willing to discuss these but will have the figures ready to hand. Any hint of reluctance, offence or waffle, go find yourself another surgeon!"

One member here said that her surgeon took the paper from her, sat down at his desk and wrote all the answers down like he was taking an exam! They don't (or shouldn't) mind being asked this stuff.

Look at it another way. If you were having an extension built on your home, would you take the first builder you phoned and let him have the contract? Wouldn't you ask him questions about his work, let him suggest ideas about the work and expect to have some references from satisfied customers? Wouldn't you get a variety of quotes and submissions before you let him have the contract? Isn't this way, way more important than an extension on your house?

This is exactly true. I told a friend of mine I could more easily evaluate a painter for my house than a surgeon! Not being able to talk to patients, not getting recommendations from other doctors--referrals yes, but never a warning against a fellow doctor. And oh you are so right--we do have to be assertive and demanding. I will read your advice on my way to the appt.!!!!

 

[Jamie]

Ahhh...now I understand.

I think that would definitely be a plus for the practice. But it definitely should not be your only factor (or maybe even your main factor) in evaluating a surgeon. For me...the number of surgeries performed, the rate of problems, and my ability to "click" with the person were the deciding factors. I saw 3 surgeons before I chose.

 

[sweetcaroline]

Hi Magnolia!
I'm also a cat lover!! !! (I've got one on my lap right now!)
I, too, was diagnosed with a back problem when my left hip started hurting. My first OS was convinced it was foraminal stenosis. When the neurologist looked at my MRI, he said "Get thee back to the orthopedist! You've got a bad hip!" My reaction was "Huh?" :pzld:Shortly thereafter, , my right hip went out very quickly and I had that one replaced first. (I was wheelchair bound for a month before the first surgery.) Magnolia, I so understand your shock and worry about this news. I was FREAKED OUT :th_hate-shocked: too! But.....two years later, I am back to my previous life, pain-free! Joint replacement surgery is a miracle!! You too will have your life back!! :th_yay: This Forum is so helpful! Keep in touch, OK?

 

[MagnoliaMs]

That is good to hear. I am going through so many stages from shock to denial to somewhat acceptance and new bouts of terror. Your post was so comforting. I now have to work up the courage to make appts.--and that means bringing the day of reckoning closer! I have gained so much perspective and confidence from the Bonesmarties!!

 

[MagnoliaMs]

Ahhh...now I understand.

I think that would definitely be a plus for the practice. But it definitely should not be your only factor (or maybe even your main factor) in evaluating a surgeon. For me...the number of surgeries performed, the rate of problems, and my ability to "click" with the person were the deciding factors. I saw 3 surgeons before I chose.

Thanks Jamie--good points to follow. I am making note of all this great advice
because there is nothing like personal experience to gain insight.

 

[grateful]

Hi Magnolia - a couple of perspectives to offer: 1) at least you were diagnosed as having the hip issues relatively early. I wasted a couple of decades on ineffective back treatments and weak medications treating the wrong part of the body. Many of us do have legitimate back issues, but if the hips are the driving force, you have to deal with those in order to get relief. 2) Hip replacement ranks right at the top in terms of surgeries that improve patients' quality of life. That cannot be said about back surgery. THR has been performed in the multi-millions of times and as long as you get yourself a good surgeon, as I see you are working on, you can feel quite confident of a good outcome. 3) Even though some people on this site have had ongoing problems, that is not an accurate representation of the overall population. While some of us want to hang around and offer support to others following in our limping footsteps, most people who have routine, successful THRs never visit a support forum, let alone post for an extended time. And of course a great many people who need to replace their hips are in their 80s and aren't hanging out on the internet. Yet I personally know several who have been given a new lease on life. Maybe you'll eventually consider it good news that you have an issue that can be dealt with by a highly successful procedure. We're all here with you! Kim

 

[TEXAS JACK]

Hi Magnolia...it's Texas Jack again.

Just realized this was your thread. 2 pages of responses, your a very popular Southern Belle.

Back to one of your earlier questions. There's 2 ways to go at the selection process a) find a Doc with great credentils that your confident with and let him deceide what procedure is best for you. There isn't any"bad" procedure...only the skill of the Doctor. or b) research the various techniques and find the one most appealing to you then find a Doc who does it as a specialty. Remember not all patients are good candidates for certain procedures.

Whatever the procedure the most important thing is the Doctors experience with it.

I had the same concern about being checked off as a "shopper" or a chronic pain in the neck. I found there is no problem with seeing more than one OS in the same office or clinic. I guess there's more than enough work to go around. Don't worry about hurting somebodies feelings. If nothing else, it saves having to get duplicate x-rays. You don't have to sign up the day you see a particular Doctor. They are quite accustomed to people mulling it over. I belong to that generation that was taught that MD's were something very special and their pronouncements were Holy Writ. Fortunately, that paridign has pretty much gone away.

Anxious to hear how your first interview went. Keep us posted.

Re: Out of Town or Local No one can guarantee the length or intensity of the PostOp assistance you'll require. Too many variables, but you will need some. If you don't have anyoe locally to give you a hand one possibility is to look into in-patient rehab. The one I've seen is more like a resort than a nursing facility. The stays are usually short..few days to a week or so. Just enough to get you on your feet.

I've been told to expect a 2 day hospital stay, home and on my feet thereafter. Very little restrictions and no PT. Hope their right. I'll certainly let all the "Smarties know if it works as advertised.

Don't fret....a little stage freight is normal. I've got some right now. As they say, "go out there and break a leg".

 

[MagnoliaMs]

All the best Jack--full speed ahead!! Let us know---

 

[MagnoliaMs]

Hi Magnolia - a couple of perspectives to offer: 1) at least you were diagnosed as having the hip issues relatively early. I wasted a couple of decades on ineffective back treatments and weak medications treating the wrong part of the body. Many of us do have legitimate back issues, but if the hips are the driving force, you have to deal with those in order to get relief. 2) Hip replacement ranks right at the top in terms of surgeries that improve patients' quality of life. That cannot be said about back surgery. THR has been performed in the multi-millions of times and as long as you get yourself a good surgeon, as I see you are working on, you can feel quite confident of a good outcome. 3) Even though some people on this site have had ongoing problems, that is not an accurate representation of the overall population. While some of us want to hang around and offer support to others following in our limping footsteps, most people who have routine, successful THRs never visit a support forum, let alone post for an extended time. And of course a great many people who need to replace their hips are in their 80s and aren't hanging out on the internet. Yet I personally know several who have been given a new lease on life. Maybe you'll eventually consider it good news that you have an issue that can be dealt with by a highly successful procedure. We're all here with you! Kim

Very encouraging and I so appreciate it-this undertaking is a big deal!!