Maybe you fell and went to the emergency room and were told to see an orthopedic surgeon. Or perhaps you’ve had constant, distracting shoulder pain for a while as you try to do the daily activities that you used to be able to do without even thinking about your shoulder. Whatever the reason, you now find yourself wondering how to choose the best shoulder surgeon among all the shoulder surgeons out there.

Choosing a shoulder surgeon when you are injured can be stressful. If your injury is acute, you may not have an unlimited amount of time to shop around. Even if your injury is chronic and not as urgent, you may be feeling anxiety about the fact that you only get one chance to pick the right surgeon the first time. Maybe you’re anxious about the recovery time, because you need to heal quickly in order to perform your job and pay your bills. You might be the primary caretaker for children or an elderly parent, and your shoulder pain or shoulder injury is limiting your ability to take care of your family. Perhaps you’re a young athlete whose scholarship is at stake. Maybe you already saw another surgeon and were disappointed with the outcome. Or, like most people, you’re fearful of pain, and fear coming out of surgery worse off than before. Perhaps you know a neighbor or coworker whose surgery did not go well, so you’re wondering how to pick the right doctor who can help you get back to “normal”- YOUR normal for YOUR life and YOUR activities.

When selecting a shoulder surgeon, you need to consider whether any potential doctor is an orthopedic generalist, or a shoulder specialist. The orthopedic generalist is the wonderful doctor who stabilizes your hip, knee, shoulder, wrist, foot, or hand, usually in the emergency room after an accident or a fall. While this type of surgeon has general knowledge of many types of injuries, they are not necessarily an expert in shoulder injuries. If you just take the name of the orthopedic surgeon who happened to be on call that night in the ER, you’re often taking a “lottery” approach to picking a doctor instead of seeking out an expert for your specific needs. Dr. Bennett, founder of Bennett Orthopedics and Sportsmedicine, is truly an expert in shoulder and knee procedures, having pioneered techniques, conducted research, and published in academic journals on these areas. He is internationally recognized among shoulder surgeons for his work with the biceps tendon-pulley-subscapularis and arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs; well-known shoulder surgeons use Dr. Bennett’s technique. He has chosen to focus his practice on these types of procedures, as these are his area of distinguished excellence.

Experience is clearly important. Dr. Bennett has focused his practice on treating the shoulder arthroscopically since 1995. This experience has allowed him to follow patient outcomes. Furthermore, Dr. Bennett is unique in that he has incorporated both Platelet Rich Plasma (“PRP”) and Adult Stem Cells in his practice for many years prior to other surgeons just beginning to use these non-surgical treatments. Dr. Bennett has refined his personalized methods of using PRP or stem cells to treat shoulder injuries without surgery, and also routinely uses customized PRP and/or stem cells WITH shoulder surgery, often leading to a better surgical outcome and faster healing. Many shoulder surgeons have never used PRP or adult stem cells, plus Dr. Bennett offers the advantage that comes with being able to follow his patients’ results for years to further refine his methods.

Credentials are another important consideration for choosing among shoulder surgeons: state licensing, board certification, specialty training and fellowships set some of the best shoulder surgeons apart from others. Membership in societies can require published studies and articles, sponsors, or recommendations from other shoulder surgeons, further distinguishing a shoulder expert from other shoulder surgeons. In surgery, its technique, not popularity, that matters. Credentials and experience, not a photo on a billboard, are predictive of better results. Dr. Bennett, in addition to being actively licensed in Florida, Texas, and California, completed two fellowships: one in adult reconstructive sportsmedicine and another fellowship specific to shoulder surgery. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, belongs to the International Cartilage Repair Society, and is a member of both the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine and the American Arthroscopic Society of North America.

Also important in selecting a shoulder surgeon: knowing in which types of procedures the doctor excels. Dr. Bennett’s specific expertise includes treating arthritis of the shoulder, rotator cuff injuries, biceps tears, labral tears, cartilage damage, frozen shoulder, and shoulder dislocation.

Service is a critical and often overlooked aspect of your recovery. Surgery does not just involve time in an operating room, it also includes the surgeon spending enough time with the patient to help the patient understand everything they need to do to facilitate recovery. Imaging tests and lab work, selecting a surgical facility, rehabilitation and recovery, and follow up are all part of any decision for surgery. Are you aware that at many larger practices, you might see a physician’s assistant before and after your surgery, rather than the actual surgeon? Dr. Bennett’s commitment to his patients is that he personally spends the time with them going over any x-rays or MRIs and discussing their individual needs and concerns. (Dr. Bennett will NOT send his patients to an assistant and then bill them!). This is part of what sets Dr. Bennett apart in the quality of the care he provides.
Choosing a surgery center or hospital is another important step in the process. Dr. Bennett has privileges at several area hospitals, allowing his patients greater flexibility, choice, and service. Consequently, Dr. Bennett is able to serve patients from near and far. Patients not only come from Sarasota, North Port, Englewood, Bradenton, Port Charlotte, Long Boat Key, Tampa, Sun City Center, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Ft Myers, andNaples to see Dr. Bennett- Dr. Bennett’s patients also travel from London, Ecuador, Canada, Pennsylvania, etc. for his internationally recognized expertise among shoulder surgeons.

At Bennett Orthopedics and Sportmedicine, we know you have a choice of shoulder surgeons, and we value YOU, the individual patient. Whether you are a professional athlete, homemaker, teacher, farmer, CEO, physician, retiree, driver, office worker, or student, we care about your specific needs. Let us help you optimize your health and mobility by calling (941) 404-2703 or by clicking on the link below to schedule a consultation: