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Have poor male relative in 60s needs hip replacement. How does he find a surgeon with lots of experience?

Xray reveals no cartledge, possible calcium spurs hiding cartledge. He took glucosomine and extra calcium. Spurs evident on spine. Healthy cartilege shows up on other hip. Says mild to severe pain if walks about a lot. Started using a cane. Fell, recovered 3-4 years age, sore for awhile, appeared OK, now this condition. Doctor recommended surgery but fellow gets by on less than $1000 Social Security. He's 63. How to find experienced surgeon, lots of vendors try to sell doctor info without experience noted.

2 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    He could begin by asking his primary care physician for a referral to a surgeon. He should also formulate a list of questions that he has. Obviously this list should include a question about how many hip replacements the surgeon does per year on patients like your relative. The number of such surgeries performed at the hospital also matters (more is better). But there are also other considerations. To help begin the list of questions, try one or several of these links:

    http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/jointreplacement1/...

    http://www.ehow.com/how_2061506_talk-doctor-hip-re...

    You can use this site to find an orthopaedist in your town or area:

    http://www6.aaos.org/about/public/members.cfm

    This provides a good overview of the surgery:

    http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00377

    Here are some basic questions to consider if your doctor recommends surgery:

    •Why is this procedure being recommended? Are there alternatives?

    •What are the benefits of this procedure in terms of pain relief and improvement of function and mobility? How long will the benefits last?

    •What are the risks involved?

    •What is the procedure called? How is it done?

    •What percentage of patients improves following the procedure?

    •What will happen if I don't have the surgery now?

    If I want a second opinion, whom can I consult?

  • pav
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    My mom had a whole hip alternative. They don't seem to be mattress sure they most often have the man or woman up jogging across the day of the surgical procedure. This is what we did for my mom. We received a dual dimension mattress and positioned it within the living room. We made her foods and taken them to her reason they must use a walker for a even as. Also your regularly going to must trim there toe nails reason they may not be ready to bend like that for many years. For probably the most aspect they may be able to handle them selves it is only gradual going. The mattress within the living room is in order that she might socialize and watch television considering that they must keep laying down or jogging for someday I remeber even if my mother might sit down in a chair she needed to positioned a cushion beneath her butt assess for many years. It is great of you to wish to support.

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