If you have injured your knee or shoulder, and you continue to have pain, swelling, instability or mechanical symptoms, then you may ultimately require orthopedic surgery. Because any surgery comes with some risk, you should learn as much as possible about your procedure beforehand. Orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist, Dr. Richard Cunningham, offers the following top 10 questions you may want to ask your surgeon before surgery.

1. Why are you recommending this procedure?

It is important to understand why your orthopedic surgeon is recommending your surgical procedure. It is important to weigh all of your treatment options and understand why surgery may provide you better results than treating your injury without surgery. Deciding to have surgery is a big decision and being fully educated is key to a successful surgery.

2. Is there a risk in delaying this surgical procedure?

Depending on the injury, surgical timing can be more urgent for some injuries compared to others. Do you need the procedure right away or can it be delayed? A common conversation Dr. Cunningham has with his patients is whether an injury is interfering with everyday life or only with certain activities. With certain injuries like an ACL tear, one can do further damage to the knee by delaying ACL surgery and continuing to do cutting and pivoting activities on the knee.

3. How many times have you performed this procedure?

Experience counts. This question will help determine if this is a routine procedure for your surgeon. In cases where your surgeon performs a low volume of your surgical procedure, you may want to consider seeking a second opinion from a surgeon who performs a higher volume of cases.

4. Should I get a second opinion?

If patients are having any confusion or doubt about the diagnosis or treatment plan, getting a second opinion can help put your mind at ease and ensure the right course of treatment. Your physician may be able to recommend a colleague who has specialized knowledge regarding your specific orthopedic procedure.

5. What are the risks involved with this type of procedure, and how common are they?

There are always risks associated with surgery. Your surgeon can go over all of these risks with you and explain the steps you can take to lower these risks before, during, and after your surgical procedure. Common risks associated with orthopedic surgery are wound infection and blood clot formation formation or DVT.

6. How long is the recovery following surgery?

It is important for patients to know what to expect after surgery. Will you be walking the first day after surgery? Will you be on crutches or in a knee brace? Will your upper extremity be in a sling? When does physical therapy start and how often will you go? Having clear expectations after surgery will help ensure patients have a successful recovery.

7. How will my postoperative pain be managed?

Patients should go into surgery with an idea of how much pain to expect postoperatively and how their pain will be managed once they leave the hospital. It is also important for patients to clarify whether opioid medication might be needed after surgery.

8. Will I need physical therapy after surgery?

Physical therapy is a key component to a good outcome after most orthopedic surgeries. Your doctor can give you a sense of what your physical therapy will encompass in terms of specific exercises, frequency, and duration.

9. When can I resume normal activities?

This is one of the most common questions asked by patients. Getting back to driving is often the top priority and many athletes are eager to return to sports and other activities. However, it is imperative patients maximize their recovery to ensure a successful outcome. Returning to sports too soon can prolong the recovery process and even lead to reinjury. Your surgeon will give you guidelines on when it is safe to resume various activities.

10. What are the chances that I will be back to normal?

It’s natural to focus on the immediate outcomes following surgery, such as how soon you’ll be able to get back skiing. However, it is important to understand if there will be long consequences as a result of your injury. Will I be more prone to have future instability episodes? Is there permanent damage in your joint that cannot be undone? Will I develop premature arthritis in this joint as a result of the injury? Asking your orthopedic surgeon how your injury and surgery will affect you in the next 5 to 10 years is important.

Those who have sustained a shoulder or knee injury are encouraged to reach out to orthopedic specialist Dr. Richard Cunningham. You can contact his team at: 970-569-3240.