Orthopedic surgery is a form of surgery that is primarily concerned with the musculoskeletal system. With any surgery, there are bound to be many questions regarding the uncertainty of certain procedures, especially if you have not gotten a procedure done before. So before you get placed under the knife, here are five questions to consider asking your orthopedic surgeon at your next operation.
1. How Is This Procedure Done?
One of the first things you should consider asking your surgeon is how the procedure is done. Your surgeon is responsible for proper education, and this starts with a detailed explanation of what the surgery will entail. You are entitled to ask not only how it is performed, but the kind of instruments that will be used in the procedure as well as the length of time you will need to be operated. You have every right to understand what the surgeons will be doing to you while you are under anesthesia, so be sure to express any of these concerns from the start.
2. What Happens If I Refuse Surgery?
Whether it is due to cost or generalized fear, there are many reasons as to why patients reject surgical procedures, despite the clear benefits. If you are on the mend of rejecting a surgery, which you are more than entitled to, you should ask what the potential consequences of surgery refusal can be. For example, if you have chronic pain in your joint, refusing to have a procedure can potentially limit activities of daily living and the pain can get progressively worse. Depending on what the surgery you are getting, each kind can present a unique set of consequences. Do your due diligence and ask what these can be.
3. Why Do You Recommend I Get This Procedure?
You should not make any rash decisions regarding surgery, especially if it is not warranted. However, if you are recommended to have a surgical procedure done, it is likely due to a medical recommendation based on certain tests or objective and subjective signs on your part. Your surgeon will be able to explain why the surgical procedure you are getting is most suitable for your condition unique to you. Decisions typically vary on the location and severity of the pain you are experiencing, but there are other factors to consider. Ask about these before you get the surgery performed on you. You can check out Dr. Gregg Shellack for more information specific to this issue.
4. What Type of Anesthesia Is Required?
Orthopedic surgery that is minor typically only requires local anesthesia, but major procedures may require general anesthesia. Depending on what your specific case is and the type of surgery you are getting, you should ask your surgeon which type of anesthesia you will be getting. You should also inquire about the risks associated with anesthesia. This is especially the case if you will be unconscious during the procedure.
5. When Can I Resume Normal Activities?
Perhaps the number 1 question on everyone’s mind in a post-surgical world is when they can go back to living life normally. Activities of daily living such as driving, exercising, or even walking can be altered by surgery. Ask your surgeon how long recovery typically takes and what physical recommendations you should live by for the time being.
Dr. Gregg Schellack believes that Orthopedic surgery contains a lot of components, and with those components should come questions.
