An orthopedic surgery is one that involves the musculoskeletal system (joints, bones, ligaments, etc.).

Are you considering surgery, but don’t know if you should get it or not? Sometimes the decision to get an orthopedic surgery is very clear and other times, it’s not.

When deciding to get an orthopedic surgery or not, there are a few different things to consider:

How long have you been living with the problem? If this pain or problem has been going on for months and it doesn’t seem to be improving, discussion regarding surgery might be warranted. Unless it’s a medical emergency (see next point).
Is it a medical emergency? The clear answer to this is YES, you should get the surgery! Cuada equina syndrome is an example of when this is an immediate yes. This is when too much pressure is on the spinal cord and bowel and bladder dysfunction occurs. Broken bones and torn ligaments in the neck are other examples of potential medical emergencies. A lot of the times, these injuries are significantly limiting and obvious to you that medical attention is immediately warranted. When they are not, providers like PT’s and doctors are trained to pick up on them when you consult with us.
Have you done your PT? First, have you tried physical therapy? You might have gone to a specialist who said that it won’t work for a shoulder or knee tear, but you might want to consult with PT first! Second, if you have tried physical therapy, be honest with yourself whether or not you have actually done the PT. If you were wishy-washy with PT adherence, we would recommend at least 1-2 months of consistent PT adherence to see if it works or not.
How did it respond to PT? If you’ve given it some time with PT and it’s not getting better, then surgery might be a consideration. If you have only been to one PT and you still want to avoid surgery, maybe you should consult with another PT! We love our colleagues. Sometimes another pair of eyes on the situation can make a big difference.
How functionally limiting is your problem? How often does your pain bother you? Daily? Weekly? How intense is it? High pain? Low pain? If you are living with intense, frequent pain and it’s limiting basic functions like sleep, this would potentially make us lean more towards surgery if you are a candidate considering these other questions.
Have you tried alternative treatment options like injection therapy? Injection therapy includes shots like PRP, prolotherapy, cortisone, and more. If you’ve failed PT and you are considering surgery, you could talk to a specialist about injection therapy if you haven’t already. Some conditions aren’t appropriate for it, but other conditions could benefit. For example, knee arthritis.
Is your overall health well enough for surgery? This answer comes from a group of people including yourself, your PT, your primary care, your surgeon, and maybe some other providers. Maybe you are considering a knee replacement, but you’ve been falling frequently and feel weak. Something like a knee replacement would potentially increase your overall injury risk if that’s the case. There are many more examples.

These are only 7 important questions to ask yourself, but there are actually SO many more to consider! Talk to your physical therapist about your specific case if you want to learn more!