Shoulder replacement surgery has helped thousands of people enjoy a better life. But is it right for you? That’s a question that you and your orthopaedic surgeon (def.)Orthopaedic Surgeon (Orthopaedic Specialist) orthopaedic surgeon specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the body's bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons (musculoskeletal disorders.) have to answer together.

The relationship between you and your surgeon is a key factor in success.It is important for you to choose a surgeon who instills confidence in you regarding your treatment plan.

So how do you go about choosing a surgeon and developing a good relationship? The good news is that it’s easier than ever for patients to find skilled surgeons close to home.

Ask your family doctor if he or she can recommend an orthopaedic shoulder specialist, or explore the Surgeon Locator section of this web site to find specialists in your area. Orthopaedic doctors tend to specialize in different areas of the body, so it is important to choose one that has experience with and specializes in the shoulder. Once you identify one or more surgeon(s), you can evaluate their credentials. Let’s take a closer look at the types of training and experience required of orthopaedic surgeons.

Orthopaedic surgeons are medical doctors or osteopaths. After college they attend medical school for 4 years to receive an MD or DO degree. Following medical school or osteopath school, surgeons must complete a residency in orthopaedics. This is usually a minimum of 5 years. While in residency, the surgeon learns much more about the bones, joints, and muscles (def.)Muscles Muscles are tissues composed of fibers that contract, allowing body parts to move. One of the most important shoulder muscles is the supraspinatus muscle — one of four rotator cuff muscles. of the body. It is here that the orthopaedic surgeon-in-training learns to operate and perfects his or her surgical skills under the guidance of the professors of orthopaedic surgery.

After the residency, the surgeon begins practice. The new surgeon must obtain surgical privileges at the hospitals where surgery will be performed. This requires extensive credentialing by the hospital. The surgeon’s background and training are checked thoroughly.

DePuy is committed to providing patients the best care possible by offering surgeons the opportunity to attend advanced training courses where innovative techniques and skills can be learned.

The new DePuy training center opening in 2009

Orthopaedic surgeons are certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons. To become board certified, the surgeon must pass exams that are given 2 years after entering practice. To maintain board certification, the surgeon must take an additional test every 10 years and prove that he or she has attended a minimum number of hours of continuing education.

Many orthopaedic surgeons choose to specialize even further. This requires even more training in the form of a fellowship. A fellowship usually lasts 6 to 12 months. During the fellowship, the surgeon works with one or more experts in a specialized field of orthopaedic surgery. This allows the surgeon to become even more experienced in certain areas, such as joint replacement, spinal surgery, hand surgery, children’s orthopaedics, or sports medicine, to name a few.

In addition to the clinical credentials, a good surgeon will have good human credentials. That means showing concern for your pain, taking time to hear your concerns and answering your questions fully.

Choosing a surgeon is an important first step in seeking relief from your pain. Thereafter, the success of your treatment depends in large part on how well you use your time with your surgeon. Here are some tips to make the most of every visit:

• Be ready to talk about your relevant medical history. You may want to write down previous treatments you have used, so you don’t forget to mention anything. An injury that occurred decades ago may be relevant, as are prior surgeries and non-surgical treatments like physical therapy and medicines. Your surgeon also needs to know about other medical conditions that could affect surgery
• Make a list of all the medicines you take, and take copies with you when you go to the doctor. Your list will save you time and assure that your doctor gets all the accurate information. This is especially important for people who take several types of medicine. Your surgeon needs to know about all pills, creams, injections, or other forms of medicine that you are taking. Be sure to discuss over-the-counter pills (aspirin, decongestants, etc). And don’t forget about vitamins and nutritional supplements
• Mention any allergies you may have, even if you’re not asked about it
• Bring any previous tests such as X-rays, lab tests, etc., to your appointment if you can. This saves a lot of time and duplication and helps your surgeon assess your symptoms
• Tell the surgeon about your lifestyle, the activities you enjoy, and how shoulder pain is affecting you physically and emotionally

Finally, here are some questions you may want to ask during your visit:

• Can shoulder replacement surgery relieve my pain and stiffness?
• Am I a candidate for shoulder replacement?
• What type of shoulder replacement procedure would you perform?
• What type of shoulder replacement do you use?
• What are the benefits and risks of shoulder replacement surgery?
• How long does recovery and rehabilitation take after surgery and what can I expect?
• What activities could I participate in after I recover?