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Having a knee or hip replaced is one of the most common surgeries for elder adults. The surgery is fairly major, but many seniors consider the surgery worth it to alleviate a serious problem. A recent study, however, suggests that more and more seniors are having major surgeries more than once.
Artificial hips do not last forever
The study found that 7 percent of hips implanted in Medicare patients had to be replaced within seven and a half years. Roughly, one in fourteen people needed to have a new hip replace…their new hip.
Even if a patient has Medicare or insurance cover the operation, hip replacement is not an experience most people want to experience twice.
How to choose the right doctor
Selecting the right doctor can be the key to having a successful surgery, according to the article. In particular, “[t] the most important variable is the technical job done by the surgeon . . . ” This means you should find a doctor, through referrals, that have lots of experience.
Another study noted that doctors who higher volumes of the procedure typically have patients who encounter fewer complications. Do your due diligence and make sure you find someone who has experience. The time you spend researching may result in less complications, and a lower chance of a repeat procedure.
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Randall Ryder is consumer rights attorney in Minnesota, where he suesabusive debt collectors and is a publisher of Elder Parent Help.