If you’re given a choice to have surgery to fix a dislocated joint, but you don’t have to have it, according to your doctor, how do you decide?

Sometimes, a dislocated joint can be put back into place and helped to heal without surgery, while other times, surgery is strongly recommended for proper healing. However, there are times when surgery is recommended but not essential. This is when the surgeon should discuss the pros and cons of the procedure.

If you are trying to decide, some questions you should ask your doctor are:

– What benefit will come from having surgery that I might not have from nonsurgical treatment?
– What complications could result from having surgery?
– What complications could result from not having surgery?
– Why does he or she feel that surgery is a better option?

Only you can make the ultimate decision so you need to feel comfortable with the reasons why the surgery is being proposed.