Scoliosis results in the curving of the spine that often tags along with discomfort, back pain, leg pain, and other irritating symptoms. It can occur in adults, teen, and even children where it’s easier to correct in the young generation than in adults. Multiple treatments are geared at managing the condition, and only the best doctors can help with that. So, how do you find the right scoliosis doctor for your or your loved one?
Determine what kind of doctor you need
Luckily, with the right diagnosis and confirmation that you have scoliosis, you already know what kind of doctor to see. Certified orthopedic surgeons or neurosurgeons (spine surgeon) would be the best type of doctors to see first. Seeing that scoliosis is a condition of the spine, you would be safe under the guidance of the above mentioned. With the help of their advice, you will have enough guidelines on what other professionals to see after your treatment plan is determined. They may include chiropractors, physiotherapists, and nutritionists.
Ask for referrals
Referrals are an excellent place to start searching for your scoliosis doctor. You could turn to your primary care doctor for trusted sources. Make use of their networks. You could also consider inquiring from friends, family, and other healthcare professionals around you for recommendations. Once you have a list of potential doctors, take the time to research on their credentials, and verify if they specialize in scoliosis treatment. Narrow down your list by contacting each orthopedic’s or doctor’s office while asking for consultation appointments. The quality of feedback should factor into your decision-making criterion.
Research
An orthopedic surgeon or neurosurgeon is a huge title in the medical field. Some scoliosis treatments, such as surgery are too delicate to be handled by just anyone. For this reason, you need to research on all your potential doctors and verify that the board of surgeons has certified them. Certification tells you that the doctor has the required skills, experience, and training to provide medical services. Be sure to confirm that the doctor has a clean medical history free from malpractice claims and other disciplinary actions. You can find this information on the state and health board websites.
Consider the doctor’s experience
Your spine dictates your mobility and general body functionality status. The more experience your doctor has with scoliosis in particular, the better your chances of managing the condition. You could ask for client references or inquire directly on how many scoliosis patients they have treated. If you have settled on procedure, inquire the success rate, risk of complications and how many he or she has performed successfully.
Research on facility quality
Your doctor’s operating facility will also be your facility. Consider the quality of care in the facility as it plays a major role in your treatment procedures. Do your homework by visiting their social media pages and websites and look for their reviews. Negative reviews should tell you something about the services you are about to commit yourself to. Ensure that the facility is well equipped to help you through your treatment plan all through to recovery.
Communication skills
Normally, treatment of scoliosis requires consistent trips to the doctor for check-ups and further corrections. Choose a doctor with whom you are comfortable talking to about your discomforts and desires. Once you schedule an appointment with the doctor, a face-to-face interview may help you gauge if you can work well with the doctor. Ask any questions and pay attention to how he or she responds. Does he or she sound committed to helping patients? How does he or she answer the questions in a way you understand? Find a doctor who shows interest in building a personal relationship with his or her patients. You need a long-term solution for a doctor.
What does your gut say?
With all these steps discussed above, you probably started with a huge list and narrowed it down to a few doctors. Perhaps two or three. You will want to listen to your intuition on picking the best fit. Ask yourself:
- Did the doctor meet your expectations?
- Are you looking forward to working with him or her?
- Do you genuinely like the doctor?
If the answers come up as a yes, you already found your scoliosis doctor. Whichever the treatment you choose, the best doctors should help you navigate through the journey and improve your quality of life. Get in touch with us at 205-637-1363 to help you start the journey to recovery from scoliosis.
