How to Choose the Right Orthopaedic Specialist

How to Choose the Right Orthopaedic Knee and Hip Specialist

Selecting the right Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon for knee or hip conditions is crucial to ensure effective treatment and a swift recovery. Whether you are dealing with chronic pain, an acute injury or require surgical intervention, having a skilled and experienced orthopaedic surgeon can make all the difference.

Here is a ‘Download and Print Guide’ to help you choose the right orthopaedic knee or hip specialist to suit your needs.

Understanding Your Orthopaedic Needs

Orthopaedic knee and hip surgeons are trained to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions, including:

Osteoarthritis of Hip or Knee: A degenerative joint disease causing pain and stiffness.

Inflammatory Arthritis: Autoimmune disorders affecting the joints.

Meniscal Tears: Injuries to the cartilage in the knee.

Ligament Injuries: Such as ACL, MCL, and PCL tears.

Hip Dysplasia: A congenital condition where the hip socket is shallow or mal-aligned   giving rise to hip pain and early degenerative change.

Bursitis: Inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs that allow the soft tissues to move over bony prominences around the hip and knee.

Fractures: Broken bones requiring surgical or non-surgical treatment.

Knee and Hip Treatment Options

Orthopaedic specialists, like Mr Stitson, offer advice and a range of treatments tailored to the specific needs of the patient. Common types of treatment include:

Non-surgical Treatment: Physio therapy, medication and lifestyle modifications.

Minimally Invasive Procedures: Arthroscopy for knee issues.

Joint Injections: Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and pain.

Surgical Interventions: Including total knee replacement, partial knee replacement, knee arthroscopy, total hip replacement, revision hip replacement and fracture fixation.

Choosing the right treatment is crucial for alleviating pain and addressing the underlying cause.

David Stitson, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in Plymouth

Finding the Right Knee and Hip Surgical Specialist

Check Qualifications and Experience – Look for a Consultant Hip and Knee Orthopaedic Surgeon who:

– is on the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council

has undertaken Higher Surgical and Fellowship level training

– has experience and a track record of successfully treating knee and hip conditions.

Reputation and Reviews

Research your surgeons reputation:

Patient Reviews: Look for testimonials and reviews from previous patients. You can view Mr Stitson’s here https://orthopaedicsplymouth.co.uk/testimonials/

“Mr Stitson is 100% committed to sharing transparent and honest patient reviews in order to continuously improve services for patients.”

Professional Recommendations: Seek referrals from your doctor or other healthcare professionals.

Hospital Reputation: Evaluate the hospital’s overall reputation and the quality of its facilities. The CQC rated surgical provision at Nuffield Health, Plymouth as outstanding. overall because it was outstanding. Mr Stitson operates privately at Nuffield Health, Plymouth where he benefits from full practising privileges and admitting rights.

The Advantages of Choosing a Private Orthopaedic Practice for Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery

David Stitson, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in Plymouth

It is essential to discuss all your options with Mr Stitson, who can guide you through the treatment process and advise on how you can achieve the best possible outcome.

Orthopaedic Services Offered

Ensure your preferred surgeon has access to and offers a comprehensive range of services, including:

Diagnostic Services: Such as MRI, X-rays and ultrasound.

Surgical Treatments: A wide range of treatment options including total knee replacement, partial knee replacement, knee arthroscopy, total hip replacement, revision hip replacement and fracture surgery

Rehabilitation Services: Physio therapy and post-surgical rehab programs.

“Mr Stitson is recognised as a specialist in lower limb joint replacement and revision joint replacement surgery. He provides a full range of options for the treatment of hip and knee arthritis including partial knee replacement, total knee replacement, total hip replacement and  revision joint replacement”.

Best Practices in Orthopaedics

A good orthopaedic specialist should practice patient-centred care, this includes:

Personalised Treatment Plans: Tailored to the individual needs of each patient.

Comprehensive Consultations: Thorough evaluations and detailed discussions about treatment options.

Holistic Approach: Considering overall health and lifestyle in treatment plans.

 
Continuous Medical Education and Training

The best specialists continually update their skills and knowledge through:

Continuing Medical Education (CME): Attending workshops, seminars, and conferences.

Professional Associations: Membership in orthopaedic associations for networking and learning.

Mr Stitson is a practising member of the British Medical Association, British Orthopaedic Association, Command Services Orthopaedic Society, a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and is listed on the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council.

When the pain becomes persistent and severe, it may indicate a more serious issue and perhaps the need for hip replacement surgery

David Stitson, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in Plymouth

Spotlight on David Stitson

For those in Plymouth and surrounding areas, David Stitson is a recognised specialist offering exceptional knee and hip orthopaedic care. His services include:

Comprehensive Diagnostics: David Stitson uses advanced imaging techniques for accurate diagnosis.

Personalised Treatment Plans: From consultation to convalescence, Mr Stitson tailors treatment plans to meet the specific needs of each patient.

High-Quality Treatments: Including using up-to-date surgical and non-surgical interventions.

David Stitson is known for his patient-centred approach, ensuring that every patient receives the highest standard of care from diagnosis through recovery.

Choosing the right orthopaedic surgeon

Choosing the right orthopaedic hip and knee surgeon requires careful consideration of their qualifications, experience, and the range of services they offer.

For those in Plymouth, David Stitson stands out as an orthopaedic specialist dedicated to providing top-tier orthopaedic care.

Your journey to pain-free living starts with choosing the correct specialist, so make an informed choice and take the first step towards better joint health today.

 

About Knee Surgery

Knee replacement surgery replaces the worn out, painful and stiff knee joint with a new prosthetic joint. This procedure which may be a partial or a total replacement is normally performed under spinal anaesthesia and is usually followed by a night or two in the hospital. Day-case knee replacement surgery may be an appropriate option for you.

About Hip Surgery

Hip replacement surgery replaces the worn-out painful and stiff hip joint with a new prosthetic joint. This procedure is normally performed under spinal anaesthesia and is commonly followed by a night or two in the hospital. Day-case hip replacement surgery may be an appropriate option for you.

Mr David Stitson Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon in Plymouth

About Mr Stitson

David Stitson is a Plymouth-based Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon. Trained both in the UK and internationally, he has worked in medicine for more than 20 years for the NHS, for the Royal Air Force and in private practice. Mr Stitson operates privately at the Nuffield Health Hospital, Plymouth.

David Stitson is a Plymouth-based Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon.

The Nuffield Plymouth CQC Rating

The Nuffield Hospital has a history that spans over half a century and has built a reputation for high standards of care, professionalism and expertise in delivering health services. They aim for continuous quality improvement in everything they do.

Active Quality and Governance programmes are in place at the Nuffield Hospital Plymouth. As part of this, the hospital is inspected by independent healthcare regulators to ensure it meets the fundamental standards of quality and safety as determined by the regulating body (CQC).

In the most recent inspection, Plymouth Nuffield Hospital was rated as ‘Good’ overall, however, the surgical element of the inspection was rated as ‘Outstanding’. The hospital was referred to as:

Outstanding in effective and caring, and
Good in safe, responsive and well-led.”

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