How can I tell if a physician is trustworthy?

[mr chievous]

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I ran track for 14 years and have absolutely destroyed my knees. I am currently working with an Internist who recommended I see an orthopedic surgeon. However, I am not sure how to pick one. My life revolves around running and boxing so I need to make an informed decision. I have great respect for doctors, but let's face it: there will always be doctors that will recommend surgery when all you need is physical therapy (although I am aware of the fact that they do not do this intentionally, obviously).

Searching online doesn't help. There is an orthopedic surgeon in my area that has a 2.5/10 rating based on 60 reviews. There is an orthopedic surgeon in my area that has a 10/10 rating based on 1 review. Then there are plenty of surgeons that have no reviews at all.

Any advice on what I should do to pick a physician?

PS - Sorry if this is in the wrong section.

 

[mr chievous]

Talk to your internist or any other physician that you have respect for and ask them who they would recommend, maybe throwing your concerns in there.

I did. Unfortunately, he recommended his friend that he said he's known for ages. Quite biased 🙁

 

[Doctor Strange]

I did. Unfortunately, he recommended his friend that he said he's known for ages. Quite biased 🙁

If you respect that internist and he's been friends with said surgeon for awhile, then I would go out on a limb and say that the surgeon must be at least a halfway decent guy.

Just arrange a consult and see what he says.

 

[TropicalKitty]

I can't tell you what to do, but I'll make an analogy and am in no way giving any medical advice...

Like when you chose your college, you have to see what the doctor specializes in. Check out their training and see if it aligns with what you are needing. For example, orthpods can be in hand or shoulder, which does no good for you and your knee. Basic research skill there, I assume you've done that.

Most doctors will let you set up an appointment to talk or to check things out. Just because you go to the OV doesn't mean (s)he is going to end up being the one you choose.

Also, in *my* experience and what I know, the (good) doctors should want to do conservative care first. That means they should want to try PT, a simple injection, diet modifications, et cetera, before wanting to go to surgery. Of course, that can change depending on your circumstances. If you've already exhausted conservative care, then a doctor may go ahead and tell you you need sx.

Remember, it's a medical opinion, that's why different doctors have different treatment suggestions. You find the doc that you want, not everyone is going to agree with the doctor (hence bad reviews).

Which reminds me, check with your state board to see if they have any infractions on them. That's more important that Johnny saying Dr. X wouldn't give me more vicodin or Suzy Q saying he wasn't nice.

GL

ETA: +1 to what the pp said.

 

[Richard Dawkins]

go for a consultation and drop your wallet with a bunch of money in it

 

[DAPI]

If you want to make a trip to the Pacific Northwest I could give you two names, one that likes the radical approach and the other that likes the conservative approach lol. But seriously, you will find this everywhere. You just need to meet with two or three and figure out what they all agree on basically and then decide what you think is best.

 

[mr chievous]

Thanks for all the help guys.

I've somewhat narrowed it down. I'm down to 3 orthopedic surgeons in my area that specialize in the knee.

Which would you guys choose: a surgeon who has been in the field for 20 years, or one that graduated 4 years ago, but has amazing credentials (Harvard for medical school, UPenn for residency and fellowship, worked with the LA Lakers).

 

[Parklife]

Thanks for all the help guys.

I've somewhat narrowed it down. I'm down to 3 orthopedic surgeons in my area that specialize in the knee.

Which would you guys choose: a surgeon who has been in the field for 20 years, or one that graduated 4 years ago, but has amazing credentials (Harvard for medical school, UPenn for residency and fellowship, worked with the LA Lakers).

That's tricky. If he got to work with the Lakers, went to harvard med, and penn for residency he knows his ****. I'd pick that guy.

The older ortho may be old school. You might not want that.

 

[circulus vitios]

There is an orthopedic surgeon in my area that has a 2.5/10 rating based on 60 reviews. There is an orthopedic surgeon in my area that has a 10/10 rating based on 1 review. Then there are plenty of surgeons that have no reviews at all.

Why would you place any value on a layman's opinion of effective medical treatment?

 

[Charles Darwin]

Thanks for all the help guys.

I've somewhat narrowed it down. I'm down to 3 orthopedic surgeons in my area that specialize in the knee.

Which would you guys choose: a surgeon who has been in the field for 20 years, or one that graduated 4 years ago, but has amazing credentials (Harvard for medical school, UPenn for residency and fellowship, worked with the LA Lakers).

But is he URM?

 

[mr chievous]

But is he URM?

Ha, I didn't even think about that!

After 2 days of research, I have decided to go with the team physician for the Dallas Mavericks: http://www.txsportsmed.com/drsouryal.php

Sounds like a smart guy. Thank you all so much!

 

[Bacchus]

Don't trust the review sites. Who's known for doing knees where you live? Here in Philly you seek out a team doctor such as McPhillemy for the 76ers or go to a well known place like the Rothman Institute. There should be such places or people where you're from that are highly qualified and revered.

 

[mr chievous]

Don't trust the review sites. Who's known for doing knees where you live? Here in Philly you seek out a team doctor such as McPhillemy for the 76ers or go to a well known place like the Rothman Institute. There should be such places or people where you're from that are highly qualified and revered.

That's exactly what I did! There were 2 doctors I was looking at. One for the Dallas Cowboys, and one for the Dallas Mavericks. The reviews in this case did help because everyone said that the Dallas Cowboys head physician was pompous and didn't give you much time, while everyone seemed to love the Mavericks' physician.

Thanks for your advice!

 

[Bacchus]

Doesn't matter if he's pompous, it matters if he fixes you correctly. Do you think Mark Cuban would let anyone take care of his precious team? 😉 If he was going to be your PCP and pompous then there's an issue.

 

[deleted393595]

I ran track for 14 years and have absolutely destroyed my knees.

Mind if I ask what you did to your knees?

 

[Richard Dawkins]

don't team doctors pay the teams just for the recognition so people like you will go see them?

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/18/s...s-now-pay-the-team.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm

 

[Xenops]

Which would you guys choose: a surgeon who has been in the field for 20 years, or one that graduated 4 years ago, but has amazing credentials (Harvard for medical school, UPenn for residency and fellowship, worked with the LA Lakers).

I'd choose experience over smarts any day. And I agree with TropicalKitty ; the good ones will try surgery as a last resort.

 

[mr chievous]

Mind if I ask what you did to your knees?

I honestly have no idea (I've been a sprinter my whole life). Running came natural to me, so I didn't see the point in working out my legs (our coaches never forced us in the weight room). I'm sure my legs had all sorts of imbalances which put lots of strain on my knees when I used to run competitively.

don't team doctors pay the teams just for the recognition so people like you will go see them?

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/18/s...s-now-pay-the-team.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm

Wow is this true? I read the US News report for the "top doctors" and he was ranked in the top 1% of all orthopedic surgeons in the country. What do you think?

 

[Iso4ane]

Why would you place any value on a layman's opinion of effective medical treatment?

Dr. House vs Dr. Phil, your choice.

Although some doctors are truly just bad all around.

I can't tell you what to do, but I'll make an analogy and am in no way giving any medical advice...

Like when you chose your college, you have to see what the doctor specializes in. Check out their training and see if it aligns with what you are needing. For example, orthpods can be in hand or shoulder, which does no good for you and your knee. Basic research skill there, I assume you've done that.

Most doctors will let you set up an appointment to talk or to check things out. Just because you go to the OV doesn't mean (s)he is going to end up being the one you choose.

Also, in *my* experience and what I know, the (good) doctors should want to do conservative care first. That means they should want to try PT, a simple injection, diet modifications, et cetera, before wanting to go to surgery. Of course, that can change depending on your circumstances. If you've already exhausted conservative care, then a doctor may go ahead and tell you you need sx.

Remember, it's a medical opinion, that's why different doctors have different treatment suggestions. You find the doc that you want, not everyone is going to agree with the doctor (hence bad reviews).

Which reminds me, check with your state board to see if they have any infractions on them. That's more important that Johnny saying Dr. X wouldn't give me more vicodin or Suzy Q saying he wasn't nice.

GL

ETA: +1 to what the pp said.

Conservative options first. Treat the patient, not the test results (at least when it comes to certain types of joint pain).

 

[JennWolf]

Your best bet is if your insurance will cover it is to go see the two you have narrowed it down to. I have been around the block with all sorts of docs since I have a genetic tissue disorder, my dad is paraplegic due to spinal stroke, and my husband is a disabled vet with 18 claims ranging from neuro to ortho. I have come to find that while creidentials are great and so is experience but how you feel about the doc, if they are one the same waive length, and if you trust them are what makes or breaks if they will help you and more importantly work with you.
For example my husband went to his first assigned VA doc who was the most experienced 20yr+ primary care and she looked at him and refused to refill his high bp, psych, and anticovulsant meds on the basis that he was too young to be on them. Some of the meds he is on -can not- with risk of bad side effects/withdrawal be stopped cold turkey. She put him in danger. He switched (after having another seizure) to a younger fresh out of residency doc who is one of the best docs to ever take care of him.
TLDR: If you have it narrowed don't go by the internet reviews go meet them and go with the one you feel will give you the best treatment. Credentials and experience is not everything. =)

 

[Richard Dawkins]

Wow is this true? I read the US News report for the "top doctors" and he was ranked in the top 1% of all orthopedic surgeons in the country. What do you think?

what was the methodology for those rankings? knowing US news methodology for ranking medical schools I wouldn't put much value in its ranking for doctors

 

[mr chievous]

Your best bet is if your insurance will cover it is to go see the two you have narrowed it down to. I have been around the block with all sorts of docs since I have a genetic tissue disorder, my dad is paraplegic due to spinal stroke, and my husband is a disabled vet with 18 claims ranging from neuro to ortho. I have come to find that while creidentials are great and so is experience but how you feel about the doc, if they are one the same waive length, and if you trust them are what makes or breaks if they will help you and more importantly work with you.
For example my husband went to his first assigned VA doc who was the most experienced 20yr+ primary care and she looked at him and refused to refill his high bp, psych, and anticovulsant meds on the basis that he was too young to be on them. Some of the meds he is on -can not- with risk of bad side effects/withdrawal be stopped cold turkey. She put him in danger. He switched (after having another seizure) to a younger fresh out of residency doc who is one of the best docs to ever take care of him.
TLDR: If you have it narrowed don't go by the internet reviews go meet them and go with the one you feel will give you the best treatment. Credentials and experience is not everything. =)

I agree. Unfortunately, the doctor that I finally decided on will not take my insurance. He charges 350-550 dollars per visit 🙁 So now I'm not sure whether to find someone else or stick with him.

what was the methodology for those rankings? knowing US news methodology for ranking medical schools I wouldn't put much value in its ranking for doctors

Here is the information regarding how they chose their "top doctors" - http://health.usnews.com/top-doctor...ominations-and-the-process-behind-top-doctors

 

[Richard Dawkins]

I agree. Unfortunately, the doctor that I finally decided on will not take my insurance. He charges 350-550 dollars per visit 🙁 So now I'm not sure whether to find someone else or stick with him.

it looks like his investment in the mavericks is paying off handsomely!

 

[mr chievous]

it looks like his investment in the mavericks is paying off handsomely!

Yeah but it's still frustrating. With insurance, a consultation should cost around 50 dollars. Without insurance, maybe 180. Anything above that is just ridiculous. But I don't want to take the cheap way out when it comes to my health, so I guess i'll be dropping 350+. Sigh...

 

[HoltMD]

If he lets you hold his thing then he is trustworthy. 😀

 

[music2doc]

I can't tell you what to do, but I'll make an analogy and am in no way giving any medical advice...

Like when you chose your college, you have to see what the doctor specializes in. Check out their training and see if it aligns with what you are needing. For example, orthpods can be in hand or shoulder, which does no good for you and your knee. Basic research skill there, I assume you've done that.

Most doctors will let you set up an appointment to talk or to check things out. Just because you go to the OV doesn't mean (s)he is going to end up being the one you choose.

Also, in *my* experience and what I know, the (good) doctors should want to do conservative care first. That means they should want to try PT, a simple injection, diet modifications, et cetera, before wanting to go to surgery. Of course, that can change depending on your circumstances. If you've already exhausted conservative care, then a doctor may go ahead and tell you you need sx.

Remember, it's a medical opinion, that's why different doctors have different treatment suggestions. You find the doc that you want, not everyone is going to agree with the doctor (hence bad reviews).

Which reminds me, check with your state board to see if they have any infractions on them. That's more important that Johnny saying Dr. X wouldn't give me more vicodin or Suzy Q saying he wasn't nice.

GL

ETA: +1 to what the pp said.

This is pretty solid.

You could also talk to your coaches, etc. and get their opinions on who to see. You could even call a few of the best PT clinics in the area and ask which surgeons they work with most.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Fly to Vail, they have some of the best orthopedic surgeons in the world.