ACL Reconstruction: How to Find the Right Surgeon for Your Needs

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is located in the center of the knee and allows for proper knee movement. ACL tears, sprains, and injuries are unfortunately prevalent in recent years, especially in athletics and the heavy-duty labor force, individuals tend to overexert themselves during knee-strenuous activity. When considering ACL Reconstruction, a top question is How to Find the Right Surgeon for Your Needs. Questions to ask and what to look out for are listed here.

Symptoms of ACL Injury and Diagnosis

The common symptoms of ACL injury

• Popping noise at the time of injury
• Warmth and redness around the knee
• Pain in and around the knee
• Swelling in the knee
• Buckling of the knee
• Difficulty walking, running, and exercising

The diagnosis of an ACL injury involves a complete medical history and a proper physical examination with physical tests like the anterior withdrawal test, the anterior Lachman test, and the pivot shift test. The patient may be sent for blood work and MRI for better diagnosis.

Choosing the Right Surgeon

Researching your list of potential orthopedic specialists is one of the most crucial factors when selecting an ACL doctor. ACL surgery is a complex procedure, and it requires experience and expertise. The success of your surgery and overall recovery depends on the skills and knowledge of the surgeon.

Here are some reasons why choosing the right doctor is crucial:

• Expertise: ACL surgery is a sophisticated technique that calls for a certain set of abilities and understanding. A surgeon who has performed ACL surgery before is more likely to produce superior outcomes. 
• Outcome: The outcome of your ACL surgery can impact your ability to return to sports and other physical activities. Choosing a skilled surgeon will help maximize the chances of a successful recovery.
• Complications: ACL surgery has dangers, just like any other surgical procedure. Complications can be reduced by selecting a trained and skilled surgeon. 

Below are the necessary steps to take while researching the right orthopedic surgeon to perform your surgery.

Make inquiries:

Ask your family, friends, and other healthcare providers for recommendations and use these to create a list of potential orthopedic surgeons. Personal referrals can provide valuable insights into the quality of care and the surgeon’s expertise. Patients rate the doctor and his or her practice, and they indicate whether or not they would suggest the doctor to family and friends. 

Examine the hospital: 

Researching the history and performance aspects of your orthopedic surgeon is important, but examining where your potential doctor practices medicine is just as essential. This includes the hospital space, the technology available, and the surgical team. A group of highly qualified and experienced healthcare professionals is frequently needed for orthopedic operations. Ideally, you should find a hospital in your area that performs orthopedic surgery excellently this can serve as a guide to finding the right surgeon. In cases where a hospital falls short in quality, determine if the surgeon performs ACL surgery at other facilities and the quality of their work.

Research the doctor: 

As you narrow down the list of qualified doctors, start calling and booking appointments for a consultation with the doctor. This enables you to formally meet and interview the physician.

The key things to look out for in a doctor are:

• Training: The professional training of the doctor goes a long way in determining if they are the best candidate to perform the surgery. Surgeons with advanced training in the management of ACL injuries and sports medicine-trained orthopedic surgeons go through an additional year of training to hone their skills at minimally invasive surgery and reconstruction of the ligaments around the knee. This makes them a better choice than others.
• Affability: This involves the demeanor and approach of the doctor. This can help determine if the doctor is one you can form a suitable patient-doctor relationship with. It is important to note that this goes a long way in helping with putting the patient through the process since it is easier to relate with them.
• Education:  The ability of the surgeon to convey the necessary information about ACL injuries, the options available, and the procedures available can be a mark of suitability. The ability of the surgeon to communicate with you effectively cannot be overstated. Being able to put you through and being reachable before surgery is a good sign since it promises a seamless recovery process.
• Volume: The volume of cases handled by the doctor is necessary. This is because it can be used to assess the doctor’s experience and expertise. Research has shown that doctors who have performed more ACL reconstruction surgeries frequently have a low risk of complications than their counterparts. ACL surgeries are not routine, so experience and expertise are of the essence to reduce the chances of a post-operative complication.

Interview the doctor: 

The aim of interviewing the doctor is to get as much required information as possible. This will help in determining how right they are for you as a patient. Some of the questions to ask the doctor are listed below:

• Do you typically treat patients like me?
• How many ACL surgeries have you performed?
• What is your success rate?
• Do you have results or data outcomes, and how accessible are they?
• What are the potential risks and complications, and which do you most frequently encounter from the surgery?
• What steps do you take to prevent difficulties or address them once they arise? 
• What is your approach to ACL surgery?
• What is the expected recovery time?
• What is your post-operative care plan?

Insurance policy: 

Your insurance coverage is a practical matter. You must select a surgeon who is covered by your plan if you want to maximize your insurance benefits and minimize your out-of-pocket expenses for your procedure. It is worthy of note that simply because your doctor participates in your insurance plan does not mean they are a high-quality doctor.

Patient Reviews: 

Although this may be subject to patient bias, read online reviews and testimonials from previous patients. Pay attention to their experiences, outcomes, and overall satisfaction.

Location: 

Consider the location of the surgeon’s practice. This is for the convenience of travel, appointments, and follow-up visits.

Cost: 

ACL surgery can be expensive. It is very crucial to consider the financial implications when making a choice.

You have many choices when you have suffered an ACL injury, but remember you have time to make an educated choice. Make sure you do your homework and most importantly, select a qualified surgeon to carry out the treatment.