Orthopedic Second Opinion: Should I Get One?

Patients dealing with joint pain often ask, “Do I need an orthopedic second opinion”? To answer that question, you should ask yourself a series of questions about your comfort level with your doctor, the proposed procedure, as well as your healing and lifestyle needs.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Do you understand the treatment recommended by your orthopedic surgeon? Are you concerned that the first doctor you saw will find out and be upset? Doctors want patients to understand their treatment. You should not proceed with treatment, and especially surgery, if you don’t feel completely comfortable. If there are any concerns, it is always okay to get a second opinion before surgery.

Reasons for getting a second opinion:

• A surgeon only provides surgery as an option without discussing other treatments.
• You do not understand how surgery will help you.
• You have already had a surgery that did not work, and the doctor is recommending another surgery.
• You don’t understand the diagnosis.

What To Do After You’ve Decided to Get a Second Opinion

• Find an orthopedic specialist who can explain your treatment options to you.
• Make a list of questions or concerns that you have regarding the treatment and recovery plan.
• Ask about your diagnosis and why orthopedic surgery is needed.
• Discuss if there are any alternatives to surgery.
• Ask the orthopedic doctor about their experience with your specific injury and the expected results.

At G2 Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, you meet with your orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Vic Goradia, on your very first visit.  From your initial orthopedic second opinion consultation to your surgery, to your post-op visits, Dr. Goradia provides personalized care to get you back to the activities and life you enjoy.

What If The Second Doctor Also Recommends Surgery?

In some cases, surgery can’t be avoided.  The second doctor may provide a less-invasive option or more information that gives you greater comfort about having the surgery performed. If the second opinion is also for surgery, be sure to ask your orthopedic surgeon for information on what recovery will look like so you know what to expect.

Dr. Goradia at G2 Orthopedics and Sports Medicine works closely with Physical Therapists to provide a full-scale treatment plan for his patients that covers pre-op to post-op instructions. This enables patients to experience a quick and efficient recovery so they can get back to doing the activities you love.

Second Opinion for Rotator Cuff Tears

Patients often consult Dr. Goradia for a second opinion regarding rotator cuff tears, especially when they have been told their tear can’t be repaired at all or can’t be repaired arthroscopically.  In many of these cases, Dr. Goradia can repair the torn rotator cuff with arthroscopic surgery.

Dr. Goradia developed a new surgical technique for massive rotator cuff tears in which he reinforces the rotator repair with donor tissue. Although use of these tissues has existed for many years with open surgery, Dr. Goradia’s technique allows him to place the tissue into the shoulder arthroscopically.

Also, Dr. Goradia generally permits patients to remove their sling the day after surgery. This gives patients better use of their arm and shortens the overall recovery.

If the rotator cuff is too severe to repair with donor tissue, a special type of shoulder replacement may be the best options. With recent advances, recovery from this replacement can be faster than recovery from a rotator cuff repair.

Second Opinion for ACL Surgery

Dr. Goradia offers the latest advances in ACL surgery, including ACL Preserve Surgery, which he developed, and all-inside ACL reconstruction. These techniques can reduce pain and swelling after surgery. Approximately 20-30% of ACL tears are eligible to receive this treatment where the patients’ torn ACL is repaired instead of being replaced with a graft.

Second Opinion for Knee Arthritis and Knee Replacement Surgery

Dr. Goradia sees patients seeking a second opinion when total knee replacement surgery is recommended.  Some research indicates that 43% of patients who had a total knee replacement may have been candidates for a partial knee replacement. In these cases, patients could have experienced a faster recovery time from a partial knee replacement where most of their original knee was left in tact. Instead, they had to undergo a total knee replacement.

Get an Orthopedic Second Opinion from Dr. Goradia of G2 Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

For decades Dr. Goradia has been a trusted orthopedic surgeon committed to serving his patients with individualized care plans to get them back to the activities and lives that they love. For patients with less severe arthritis, small rotator cuff tears, or other orthopedic conditions, Dr. Goradia may be able to offer alternatives to surgery. And for patients in need of surgery to repair joint issues, Dr. Goradia specializes in arthroscopic and outpatient procedures to get patients on a quick, healthy, and efficient road to recovery.

If you are experiencing joint pain, call our office at (804) 678-9000 or book an appointment online.  We look forward to getting you back in motion!