When pain or injury compels you to seek out the best orthopedic doctor or surgeon in Reading, PA for treatment, there are several ways you can increase your odds of finding the right one.
An orthopedic specialist is a physician who specializes in the evaluation and treatment of illnesses and injuries related to the musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments). Most orthopedic doctors, such as Dr. Stephen Soffer in Wyomissing, are also surgeons.
Within the orthopedic specialty, there are subspecialties such as hips and knees, hand surgery, sports medicine, and conditions affecting the spine. Dr. Soffer specializes in arthroscopy and the treatment of sports-related injuries, as well as the open and arthroscopic treatment of knee, shoulder and elbow injuries. He also performs artificial joint replacement for arthritis of the knee, shoulder and hip.
Your goal should be to find a doctor that is well-trained for your particular injury or condition. We offer the following tips on how to go about it.
Ask for Referrals
Your primary care physician may be able to provide you with a list of doctors in your area who specialize in orthopedic medicine. A friend or family member who has had a similar injury or condition and was pleased with the results could also be a good resource.
Review Credentials
Spend some time reviewing each doctor’s background, including education, medical degree, credentials and training. Is the doctor a board certified orthopedic surgeon, for example? Where did he or she go to medical school? Did he or she complete any specialized training (a fellowship) in a particular disease?
Stephen R. Soffer, M.D. is a board certified orthopedic surgeon with a subspecialty certification in Orthopedic Sports Medicine. He earned his medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and completed a Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy Fellowship with world famous Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. James R. Andrews. Dr. Soffer has lectured locally, nationally and internationally, and authored textbooks and journal articles on a variety of orthopedic topics.
Use the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) website to find a certified surgeon. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) website also allows you to search for qualified doctors in your area. Other excellent resources are the websites for the American Board of Medical Specialties and specialty websites, such as the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, and the Arthroscopy Association of North America.
Another resource is the U.S. News & World Report website, which makes it easy to search for doctors who have been nominated by other doctors as the most outstanding in their medical specialties. Their directory is created in collaboration with Castle Connolly, publisher of America’s Top Doctors. Dr. Soffer has been voted a Top Doctor for the last 5 years.
Meet the Doctor
After narrowing down your list, schedule a consultation with the doctor at the top of your list to discuss your situation and decide if this is the right doctor for you.
Prepare a list of questions, including questions focusing on the doctor’s experience with cases like yours and the technology that might be used to treat your condition. This is your opportunity to ask about the surgeon’s success rates, about your options and the possible outcomes, and about the cost of surgery, if that is what you need.
Is the doctor easy to talk to? Does he or she explain things to you in a manner that is easy to understand? Does he or she welcome questions and take the time to make sure all of your questions are answered? If you don’t feel the doctor is the right fit for you, you can move on to the next doctor on your list.
Taking the time to consider each orthopedic doctor’s credentials, training and bedside manner will help you get the best treatment in Reading, PA for your condition. We invite you to call us at 610-375-4949 to find out how Dr. Soffer can help.
