Once you decide your hip deserves expert attention, a new question appears: whose hands should you trust? Training, experience, and the way a surgeon listens all shape your care and how confident you feel about it. If you live in Naples, Fort Myers, or Bonita Springs, you have choices, and comparing them takes some know how. Here is what to look for as you choose the right hip surgeon for you.
Start With Board Certification
Board certification is voluntary and separate from a state medical license, which every practicing surgeon must hold.1 To become certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, a surgeon must complete an accredited residency, pass an 8 hour written examination, submit a case list, complete peer review, and pass an oral examination built around 12 of their own cases.2 Certification lasts 10 years, and surgeons must take part in continuing certification to keep it.2 You can ask the office directly or use the board's verification tool.3
Look for Focused Training in Joint Replacement
After residency, some orthopaedic surgeons complete a fellowship in adult reconstruction, extra training centered on hip and knee joint replacement. Hip replacement involves positioning new metal, plastic, or ceramic implants to restore the alignment and function of your hip, so dedicated training in these procedures counts.5 Ask where your surgeon trained and how much of the practice is devoted to hip and knee care. A surgeon who focuses on joints like yours is more likely to be familiar with the full range of options for your situation.
Ask About Experience With Your Procedure
Experience with the specific operation matters. In a large study of first time total hip replacement, surgeons who had performed 35 or fewer of these operations in the previous year had a higher dislocation rate, 1.9% compared with 1.3%.4 It is reasonable to ask how often a surgeon performs total hip replacement and which techniques are used. We offer the direct anterior approach, and a good conversation about approach should explain why it does or does not fit your hip.
Notice How Your First Visit Feels
A thorough hip evaluation includes your medical history, a physical examination, and X-rays.5 Beyond that, pay attention to how you are treated. Does the surgeon explain your X-rays in plain language? Are nonsurgical options such as medications and physical therapy discussed alongside surgery?5 Do you feel free to ask questions until you understand?
Bringing your ID, insurance information, imaging reports, and medication list, as described in our first visit guide, lets the time focus on you rather than paperwork.
Evaluate the Plan, Not Just the Credentials
A sound plan fits your goals, explains realistic results and risks, and outlines recovery. After total hip replacement, for example, realistic goals include unlimited walking, swimming, golf, driving, and other low impact activities, while high impact sports are usually discouraged.5 Ask who will guide your rehabilitation, how physical therapy for the hip fits into the plan, and how to reach the office with questions after surgery. A plan that feels rushed or vague deserves more discussion, and a second opinion before major surgery is always reasonable.
Weigh Reviews and Referrals Thoughtfully
Recommendations from your primary care doctor, friends who have had joint replacement, and online reviews can help you build a short list. Reviews reflect individual experiences, so use them alongside credentials, experience, and your own impression at the first visit.
Consider Communication and Convenience
Practical details matter during recovery. Our office in Naples is open Monday through Friday, and its location makes follow up visits manageable from Fort Myers and Bonita Springs. Ask how the office handles questions between visits, who you will hear from after surgery, and how to reach the team if something feels wrong. Clear communication with the office staff is part of good care too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does board certified mean for a hip surgeon?
It means the surgeon has met training, examination, and peer review standards set by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. Certification goes beyond the license required to practice medicine.1,2
How can you check whether a hip surgeon is board certified?
You can ask the surgeon's office directly or use the verify certification tool on the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery website.3
Does a surgeon's experience affect hip replacement results?
Experience appears to matter. In one large study, surgeons who performed more than 35 total hip replacements in the prior year had lower dislocation rates.4
What should you ask at your first visit with a hip surgeon?
Ask what is causing your symptoms, which treatments fit your goals, and what recovery would involve. Never hesitate to ask again when something is unclear.5
Where can you meet with a hip surgeon in Naples, FL?
Our office is at the Orthopedic Center of Florida, 3530 Kraft Road, Suite 201, in Naples. We welcome you from Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, and surrounding communities.
Choosing Your Hip Care Team With Confidence
The right hip surgeon combines solid training with clear communication and a plan built around you. When you are ready to start that conversation, you can request an appointment at our Naples office, and we will take the time to understand your hip and your goals.
References
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. Certification.
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. ABOS Board Certification.
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. Frequently Asked Questions. My Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon.
- Ravi B, Jenkinson R, Austin PC, et al. Relation between surgeon volume and risk of complications after total hip arthroplasty: propensity score matched cohort study. BMJ. 2014;348:g3284.
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Total Hip Replacement. OrthoInfo.
About
Courtney Bell, M.D. is a board certified orthopedic surgeon and hip and knee joint replacement specialist at the Orthopedic Center of Florida in Naples, FL. She earned her medical degree and completed her orthopedic surgery residency at Oregon Health & Science University, then a fellowship in Adult Reconstruction at The Rothman Orthopedic Institute. Her care includes the direct anterior approach for hip replacement and fracture care for Naples, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, and surrounding communities.
