There comes a point at which you realize that you cannot keep ignoring the chronic joint pain or muscle pain anymore. It is therefore time to see a skilled orthopedist who knows how to help you find long-term relief of your pain.
You may be wondering what the best approach is to go about finding an orthopedic surgeon. Let’s talk about how you can narrow down this search in finding the right doctor for you, and where you can go here in Maryland for outstanding orthopedic treatment.
Ask for Referrals and Recommendations
To start, talk to your primary care doctor and ask for a referral to an orthopedic surgeon they’d recommend. Also, think about any of your friends or relatives in the area who have received successful treatment for musculoskeletal issues themselves – such as treatment for arthritis, bursitis, hip surgery, knee surgery, tennis elbow, golf elbow, and the like. Ask them whether they’d recommend their orthopedic surgeon (or, if not, what precisely went wrong in their experience), or if they have any further insights about good orthopedic physicians in the area.
Check Your Health Insurance Coverage
Once you have the names of a few good options to consider, check to make sure those orthopedic surgeons are on your list of covered doctors. If a name isn’t on your list, feel free to call that surgeon’s practice to see whether or not they take your coverage, because those lists are not always up-to-date.
Check Each Orthopedic Surgeon’s Office Location
Next, look up the orthopedic surgeon’s office address on a map and see whether the location is convenient for you. Note that the surgeon may have several locations available.
Closer isn’t necessarily better, and driving a little farther is sometimes warranted for excellent healthcare. However, do make sure that you’re willing and able to drive to their office location.
Check Their Background and Credentials
At this point, your list is probably down to one or two orthopedic surgeons who you think maybe your best choice. Go online to their websites and make sure that they’re board-certified, that they treat patients with the same or similar health issues that you have, and that they have plenty of experience.
Read Online Reviews from Their Past and Current Patients
You can visit websites where patients can leave reviews of their doctors. Look for consistencies in what patients say about the orthopedic surgeon you’re considering.
Orthopedic Hand Surgeon Near Me in Maryland
Here at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder, our skilled orthopedic surgeons specialize in both operative and nonoperative treatments for your upper extremities – everything from carpal tunnel syndrome to tennis elbow to a torn rotator cuff in the shoulder. We will recommend and provide the least-invasive treatment that would work for you.
We have several offices across Maryland for your convenience:
- Lutherville
- Bel Air
- Clarksville
- Eldersburg
- Pasadena
- Westminster
- Baltimore
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (410) 296-6232 or by completing our appointment request form online now. We look forward to serving you!