How to find the best shoulder surgeon.
How do I find the best shoulder surgeon for my orthopedic problem?
Selecting the best orthopedic surgeon for your shoulder condition is a critical decision which can have a substantial impact on your comfort, activities, return to sport, and quality of life. Below are some of the reasons patients and physicians consider Dr. Thomas Obermeyer, the best orthopedic surgeon in the area, including Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, Elk Grove Village, Palatine, Arlington Heights, Bartlett, Elgin, and Streamwood communities, among many others.
Credentials and Qualifications
Best shoulder surgeon Dr. Obermeyer has a training record under the best orthopedic surgeon leaders in the world. He completed fellowship training among one of the most published, widely respected orthopedic surgeon-scientists in the history of shoulder surgery, Dr. Evan Flatow, who is the current president of the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, the author of more than 400 book chapters and peer reviewed articles, and has been heavily involved with NIH research grants and is involved with six patents for shoulder implant systems. Prior to training Dr. Obermeyer directly for a one-on-one fellowship in shoulder surgery, Dr. Flatow served as a faculty member of the renowned Columbia Shoulder Service, which among its historic ranks are some of the giants in shoulder surgery, including Dr. Louis Bigliani and Dr. Charles Neer.
When selecting a best shoulder surgeon, keep in mind where the surgeon trained and with whom, because that training impacts the techniques and skill sets of your surgeon. The best orthopedic surgeon in your area should also be board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, a minimum qualification by today’s standard, which is a qualification that instills confidence the surgeon has the cognitive skills and knowledge as well as capability to perform successful surgery on patients. Skilled orthopedic surgeon Dr. Thomas Obermeyer has been board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery since 2015.
Experience
Selecting the best orthopedic surgeon warrants consideration of that surgeon’s experience. Some surgeons treating the shoulder offer surgery for mostly one type of shoulder problem, but not others. Does your surgeon offer all types of arthroscopies, including in the side (lateral decubitus) and sitting (beach chair) positions to ensure the procedure is done optimally? Does your surgeon perform anatomic and reverse total shoulder replacements? Do they do revisions? If the answer is ‘no’ to one or more of these questions, there may be a bias of decision making, where the treatment is fit into that surgeon’s skill set. You ideally want a surgeon that treats the gamut of disorders so the surgeon can confidently offer you the best treatment for your specific problem.
Best orthopedic surgeon credentials include performing a high volume of procedures. A surgeon that performs many procedures over many years allows that surgeon to hone his or her techniques, ensuring the surgery is done efficiently and correctly. Surgeons are not just technicians, meaning they need to decide who is the best candidate for each procedure, leading to better results. With better results mean lower rates of complications, including things like infection, inadvertent errors, need for more surgery. Dr. Obermeyer has performed thousands of shoulder procedures during his career. At the time of your consultation, he will be happy to share with you his experience with your particular problem.
Reputation
The best orthopedic surgeon for your problem should have a solid reputation among patients and colleagues. You can check your shoulder surgeon’s credentials online for an idea but some of the most compelling information about reputation comes from word-of-mouth. If you have a colleague, friend, or family member that has undergone successful surgery for the same or similar problem you have, you should ask about who treated them. Best shoulder surgeon Dr. Obermeyer’s practice is mostly built on word-of-mouth referrals.
Referrals to best orthopedic surgeons not only come from patients but they come from primary care physicians, and from orthopedic and non-orthopedic physician colleagues. When a surgeon has a problem with a patient (that may have had prior surgery) and needs assistance, there is a disproportionate number or referrals to the best surgeon for that problem. Widely recognized shoulder surgeon Dr. Obermeyer treats many patients referred from other physicians.
Hospital and Facility Affiliations
The best orthopedic surgeon for your shoulder problem has affiliations with best subspecialty hospitals and facilities. Dr. Obermeyer performs many of his surgeries at the top-notch Schaumburg Surgery Center, which offers a highly rated patient experience with skilled anesthesiologists, caring and attentive nursing staff, and state-of-the-art arthroscopy towers (Arthrex Synergy 4KÒ) and next generation implants. In patients requiring hospital-level care, he also performs surgery at the orthopedic specialty wing of St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates and at the Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.
Accessibility and Insurance Coverage
Your orthopedic surgeon may be the best in the area, state, or country, but if they are unavailable with an inattentive treatment team or if they don’t accept your insurance, you may have difficulty treating with him or her. Dr. Obermeyer surrounds himself with a team of healthcare professionals that are best in class, highly responsive and experienced, and will ensure your needs are met throughout your treatment. Dr. Obermeyer and his office accept a broad range of insurance plans and offer appointments with a wait not more than a few days to accommodate patients with acute injuries.
