If you had the choice, you would want someone who specializes in the exact service you’re looking for to perform the task for you. For example, you’d probably prefer to have your vehicle serviced by someone who specializes in your brand over a general mechanic, or you’d rather have a pitmaster from Kansas City cook your barbeque ribs over the chef at Applebee’s. Experts who have dedicated their lives to a specific craft can oftentimes provide a higher level of service than other skilled experts who have a wider breadth of experience without the deep knowledge of one particular subset.
That sentiment holds true if you are in need of shoulder surgery. You can certainly turn to an orthopaedic surgeon who can operate on a few different joints, but it’s likely in your best interest to turn to someone who specializes in shoulders only, like Dr. Holloway. In today’s blog, we explain why it’s beneficial to turn to a shoulder specialist if you need shoulder surgery.
The Benefits Of Choosing A Specialist For Shoulder Surgery
If you need to have an elective shoulder surgery performed, here’s a look at some of the reasons why it’s likely in your best interest to choose a surgeon who specializes in the shoulder joint.
- Deeper Knowledge – As we alluded to in the introduction, a shoulder specialist will have a much deeper knowledge of the shoulder joint and the best way to address a specific issue. They aren’t spending their time helping patients with knees or hips, they are only focused on the shoulder. Odds are they’ve seen similar issues in past patients and are well versed in the optimal way to surgically address the condition.
- Experience And Education – Someone who only performs shoulder surgeries will likely have a lot more experience with your specific procedure than an orthopedic surgeon who operates on other joints. A shoulder specialist may perform 10-20 shoulder surgeries a week, whereas a general orthopedic surgeon may only perform one or two shoulder procedures a week. This extra experience and familiarity with the shoulder on a daily basis can improve patient outcomes. Additionally, a shoulder specialist will only seek out continuing education courses and seminars related to the shoulder. They are always looking to improve on their knowledge of the shoulder and the best ways to perform specific surgical techniques. General orthopedic surgeons will spend their time widening their breadth of knowledge, whereas a specialist will continue to build their skills only in regards to addressing the shoulder.
- Better Diagnosis And In-Surgery Management – A shoulder specialist will be better equipped to accurately assess the health of a shoulder through a physical exam or imaging tests, ensuring a correct diagnosis. They are also better prepared to control for any issues before surgery or that could arise during the procedure itself.
- Network Of Experts – While the surgery itself will play a big role in your long-term health, so will your rehab and recovery period. A shoulder specialist will have built up a network of great resources for patients to connect with once they are discharged from the surgical center. Odds are your shoulder specialist will be able to refer you to a physical therapy clinic or similar rehab facility that has professionals who know exactly how to help patients recover from specific shoulder surgeries. We know that your care doesn’t end the minute you walk out of the door of the surgical center, so we want to make sure you connect with professionals that we’ve worked with in the past that have helped previous patients achieve fantastic rehabilitation results. A general surgeon may send you to a general physical therapy clinic, which may have less experience treating your specific shoulder issue.
When it needs to be done right, trust your care to someone who specializes in shoulder surgery and who has a deep knowledge of the issue you need rectified. You can achieve good results with general orthopedic surgeons, but don’t settle for good when you can have great. Let us deliver fantastic results for your shoulder issue. For more information, or to connect with a shoulder specialist near you, give Dr. Holloway and his team a call today at (865) 410-7887.
