Choosing the right surgeon is vital when planning a hip replacement procedure. In fact, this is probably the most crucial decision in the entire procedure. The surgeon’s training and experience will have a major impact on your recovery and the results.
Southern California Hip Institute (SCHI), led by seasoned board certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tigran Garabekyan, provides orthopedic surgery to patients in Los Angeles, Century City, Beverly Hills, CA, and surrounding communities.
Here are a few necessary aspects to consider while picking an orthopedic surgeon for hip replacement:
Verify Surgeon’s Credentials
There are certain ways to verify the surgeon’s credentials before you make an appointment. Most of these details are usually available online.
Medical licensing
Every medical doctor has to be certified by their state’s medical board. Certain states have websites that list individual doctor’s credentials. You can check the credentials of your surgeon on Federation of State Medical Boards website DocInfo.org as well.
Fellowship training
Surgeons with fellowship training in hip replacement have learned the right technique of performing the surgery under highly experienced orthopedic surgeons. These kinds of fellowships will say orthopedic reconstructions, total joint reconstruction, hip surgery, hip replacement, or something similar in their names.
Professional affiliations
Typically, qualified hip replacement surgeons are members of professional organizations, such as the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons and American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Prioritize Experience Over Cost
Choosing an experienced surgeon has a major impact on the success of a hip replacement surgery. A study examined data from 20,000 surgical procedures to observe that surgeons with experience provided results that mostly did not need any revision surgery.
- Revision surgery is required only 0.7% times when the surgery is performed by experienced surgeon that do more than 50 hip replacements in a year
- Revision surgery is required 1.3% times when the surgery is done by a surgeon that performs 6 – 25 hip replacement procedures in a year
Surgeons that perform more than 50 hip replacements in a year have a better chance at successful outcomes. The surgeon’s website should indicate that they specialize in hip replacement procedure. You can ask about this during the initial consultation as well.
Ask Questions
You are entitled to assess a surgeon before choosing them. Don’t refrain from asking the surgeon questions such as:
- How many times in the past year have you performed a hip replacement surgery?
- Can you share any testimonials from patients that underwent this surgery? Can I talk to these patients?
- What is your success rate in hip replacement procedures?
Get a Second Opinion
This is not always necessary. Pertaining to this, you may want to seek a second opinion from another orthopedic surgeon if the first surgeon:
- Lacks qualifications or experience
- Doesn’t explain the procedure or recovery process in detail
- Doesn’t answer your questions completely
Dr. Garabekyan is a Leading Hip Surgeon
Dr. Garabekyan specializes in treating knee, shoulder, and hip problems. He completed a general surgery internship at the University of California at San Francisco, before earning his medical degree from the University of California at San Diego. He has also completed fellowship in Sports Medicine and Hip Preservation Surgery at the University of Colorado, School of Medicine.
Reliable and proven board certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tigran Garabekyan receives patients from Los Angeles, Century City, Beverly Hills, CA, and nearby areas for orthopedic surgery.
Contact the Southern California Hip Institute
Dr. Tigran Garabekyan is a board certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip preservation. To learn more about Southern California Hip Institute or to schedule a consultation, click here to contact us or call:
Century City / Los Angeles: 310.595.1030
Serving patients in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Century City, West Hollywood, North Hollywood Encino, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Burbank, Glendale and other neighboring cities in the greater Los Angeles, California area.
Also visit http://www.drgorthopedics.com/
