Published by Commons Clinic. [Web version](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/hip-replacement-physician-questions/) Reviewer names are abbreviated. Patient reviews describe individual experiences. Review counts describe source records, not unique patients or clinical outcomes; the acquired snapshot may not include complete platform histories. Clinical education and patient accounts do not replace a consultation. Hip & joint replacement # Hip replacement: how to choose the right surgeon for your goals Look for an explanation that connects your hip symptoms, the proposed operation and the life you want to return to. Published by Commons Clinic · Updated October 20, 2026 · 5 min read [Questions to ask ↓](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/hip-replacement-physician-questions/#consultation-questions) [Patient experiences ↓](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/hip-replacement-physician-questions/#patient-experiences) In this guide 1. [Begin with what matters in your day](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/hip-replacement-physician-questions/#guide-section-1) 2. [Ask why replacement makes sense now](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/hip-replacement-physician-questions/#guide-section-2) 3. [Put techniques and technology in perspective](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/hip-replacement-physician-questions/#guide-section-3) 4. [Make recovery specific to your home](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/hip-replacement-physician-questions/#guide-section-4) 5. [Evaluate the surgeon and the relationship](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/hip-replacement-physician-questions/#guide-section-5) 6. [Explore our hip replacement physicians](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/hip-replacement-physician-questions/#guide-section-6) 7. [Ask whether waiting would change something meaningful](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/hip-replacement-physician-questions/#guide-section-7) 8. [Make the approach discussion about your anatomy and surgeon](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/hip-replacement-physician-questions/#guide-section-8) [Go to your consultation questions ↓](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/hip-replacement-physician-questions/#consultation-questions) ## Begin with what matters in your day Hip arthritis may affect sleep, walking, shoes, stairs and getting into a car in very different ways. Bring two or three examples of what has become difficult and which improvements would matter most. A pain score alone may miss the problem you most want solved. A replacement consultation usually combines your history, examination and X-rays. Ask the surgeon to explain how those findings fit together and whether another source of pain needs consideration. The purpose is to understand why replacing the hip is likely to help the symptoms you are describing. Sources: [AAOS OrthoInfo: Total Hip Replacement](https://www.orthoinfo.org/treatment/total-hip-replacement/) ## Ask why replacement makes sense now A sound recommendation should address the nonsurgical options you have tried, their benefit and their limits. There is no need to describe a treatment as a failure if it helped for a while. The useful question is whether the remaining symptoms and limitations make surgery a reasonable next step for you. Ask what is likely to happen if you wait and what would prompt a different recommendation. Discuss concerns about both proceeding and postponing. If opinions differ, ask which finding or personal priority is driving the difference rather than assuming one surgeon must be wrong. Sources: [AAOS OrthoInfo: Total Hip Replacement](https://www.orthoinfo.org/treatment/total-hip-replacement/) ## Put techniques and technology in perspective Approach, implant bearing and computer assistance describe different parts of the operation. Ask why the surgeon uses a particular approach in patients with anatomy and needs like yours, what its tradeoffs are, and whether it changes your restrictions. A familiar brand name is less useful than a clear explanation. Ask what decisions are made before surgery and what might change during it. If a technology is proposed, find out what it helps the surgeon measure or execute, what evidence supports a benefit that matters to you and whether it changes cost. Sources: [AAHKS: Total Hip Replacement](https://hipkneeinfo.org/hip-care/total-hip-replacement/) ## Make recovery specific to your home Ask how pain will be managed, how walking begins and what support is needed at home. Separate leaving the facility from being comfortable on stairs, driving or returning to a standing job. These are distinct milestones. Bring a medication list and explain your medical conditions, prior blood clots, nicotine use and previous anesthesia problems. Ask which risks need attention before surgery and who coordinates with your usual physicians. If you live alone, have an upstairs bedroom or care for someone else, raise that early so discharge planning is practical. Sources: [AAHKS: Total Hip Replacement](https://hipkneeinfo.org/hip-care/total-hip-replacement/) ## Evaluate the surgeon and the relationship Relevant joint-replacement training, experience with your situation and a direct conversation are useful parts of choosing a surgeon. Ask how the practice handles unexpected recovery problems and long-term follow-up. A good fit includes feeling comfortable saying that an explanation did not make sense. Patient experiences can help you understand communication and support, but they represent individual accounts. Compare them with the consultation and your own priorities. Ask for clarification about any expected outcome that sounds too certain, especially if your main goal involves demanding sport or a complex medical history. Sources: [AAHKS: Choosing the Right Hip Surgeon for You](https://hipkneeinfo.org/hip-care/choosing-the-right-hip-surgeon-for-you/) ## Explore our hip replacement physicians Our hip and joint team includes Dr. Andrew Wassef, Dr. Prem Ramkumar and Dr. Christopher Combs. Their practices include total hip replacement; their provider pages describe their individual training and clinical focus. You can review the patient accounts below and follow the links to learn more about each physician before arranging a conversation about your hip. ## Ask whether waiting would change something meaningful The 2023 ACR/AAHKS timing guideline addresses people with substantial hip or knee arthritis who have already tried nonsurgical care and chosen replacement. It conditionally advises against delaying solely to repeat additional nonsurgical treatment, while identifying reasons to optimize health first. Those recommendations rely on low or very low quality evidence. Ask how closely that population matches you. If delay is proposed, ask what improvement the team expects before surgery and how it will be assessed. A clear reason for waiting is easier to act on than an open-ended instruction to try everything again. Sources: [2023 ACR/AAHKS Guideline for Optimal Timing of Elective Hip or Knee Arthroplasty](https://www.aahks.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Timing-Guideline.pdf) ## Make the approach discussion about your anatomy and surgeon HSS explains anterior and posterior approaches and emphasizes planning and surgeon experience. An approach name can help you understand the route to the joint, but it should lead to a discussion of your anatomy, prior operations and the surgeon’s experience with comparable cases. Ask why this approach suits your hip and what the team would do if findings require a change. Discuss the specific precautions, wound considerations and rehabilitation you will receive. Compare the quality of those explanations alongside your goals, rather than assuming one approach guarantees the same recovery for every patient. Sources: [Anterior Vs. Posterior Hip Replacement: Which Approach Is Best for You?](https://www.hss.edu/health-library/move-better/anterior-vs-posterior-hip-replacement) Make the most of your visit ## Questions to bring to your consultation Choose the questions that matter most to you. Bring them along, and ask us to explain anything that is unclear. - Which symptoms do you expect hip replacement to improve—and which may have another cause? - What makes surgery reasonable now, and what changes if I wait? - Why do you recommend this approach and implant for my anatomy? - What does computer assistance add in my case? - What personal risks should we address before scheduling? - What help will I need at home during the first stage? - How will we decide when driving, work and exercise are appropriate? - Who do I contact if recovery is not following the plan? - If you recommend delaying surgery, what specific improvement are we waiting for? - How does the timing guideline apply to the severity of my arthritis and prior treatment? - Why does your proposed approach suit my anatomy and previous operations? ## Sources & further reading - [AAOS OrthoInfo: Total Hip Replacement](https://www.orthoinfo.org/treatment/total-hip-replacement/) - [AAHKS: Total Hip Replacement](https://hipkneeinfo.org/hip-care/total-hip-replacement/) - [AAHKS: Choosing the Right Hip Surgeon for You](https://hipkneeinfo.org/hip-care/choosing-the-right-hip-surgeon-for-you/) - [2023 ACR/AAHKS Guideline for Optimal Timing of Elective Hip or Knee Arthroplasty](https://www.aahks.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Timing-Guideline.pdf) American College of Rheumatology and American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons · Published September 28, 2023 - [Anterior Vs. Posterior Hip Replacement: Which Approach Is Best for You?](https://www.hss.edu/health-library/move-better/anterior-vs-posterior-hip-replacement) Hospital for Special Surgery We use these medical sources to help explain your options and prepare you for a conversation with our team. Our guides feature our own clinicians; patient reviews describe individual experiences. [Read as Markdown](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/hip-replacement-physician-questions/index.md) Meet our team ## People behind your care. [**Andrew Wassef, MD** Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) [More about Andrew Wassef ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) [**Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA** Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints & Sports Medicine](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/prem-n-ramkumar-md-mba/) [More about Prem N. Ramkumar ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/prem-n-ramkumar-md-mba/) [**Christopher Combs, MD** Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints & Sports Medicine](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/christopher-combs-md/) [More about Christopher Combs ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/christopher-combs-md/) Explore our clinicians, then talk with us about your symptoms, goals, and the care you need. Patient experiences ## Experiences, *in their words.* Hear from patients about our clinicians, the conversations they had, and the support they received. Excerpt > I was in major pain in my hip from arthritis and Dr Ramkumar diagnosed the problem and we scheduled a total hip replacement. S. McDonough Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: July 2, 2026 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/100175048716992390652/place/ChIJN5abTJkz3YARYFiCkifHPjw) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA On hip replacement. Excerpt > Dr. Ramkumar explained the whole process of hip replacement thoroughly and I made the decision to do it. C. Ford Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: June 22, 2026 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/109398859864731307181/place/ChIJN5abTJkz3YARYFiCkifHPjw) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA On hip replacement. Excerpt > From the beginning of my diagnoses, he was very transparent with me about my options and how full hip replacement would look for me. J. Johnson Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: May 7, 2026 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/115100650052040436729/place/ChIJN5abTJkz3YARYFiCkifHPjw) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA On hip replacement. Excerpt > I felt like he actually listened to what I had to say and truly cared about my health and well being M. de Oliveira Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: April 4, 2026 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/110425284641602710169/place/ChIJqeNILuQy3YAR9WA5ym3pGLU) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Andrew Wassef, MD On the care experience: The reviewer describes feeling heard during a hip replacement care experience. Excerpt > Dr. Wassef did my left hip revision in 2019. D. Nobles Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: March 8, 2026 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/117696379309701320072/place/ChIJqeNILuQy3YAR9WA5ym3pGLU) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Andrew Wassef, MD On hip revision. Excerpt > It’s been three weeks since I had my hip replacement , and after all these years, I’m finally pain free!! L. Vega Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: May 16, 2025 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/110881035474506944183/place/ChIJqeNILuQy3YAR9WA5ym3pGLU) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Andrew Wassef, MD On hip replacement. Keep exploring ## Your next *good question.* More guidance to help you understand your options and plan your next step. Hip & joint replacement ### [Hip arthritis without surgery: how to build a useful plan](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/hip-arthritis-nonsurgical-options/) Nonsurgical care should have a purpose, a tolerable starting point and a way to decide whether it is helping enough. [Read the guide](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/hip-arthritis-nonsurgical-options/) Knee ### [Knee replacement: what matters when choosing a physician?](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/knee-replacement-decision/) Look for a recommendation that explains the likely benefit, acknowledges the limits and makes recovery workable for your life. [Read the guide](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/knee-replacement-decision/) Knee ### [ACL injury: how to discuss surgery, rehabilitation and returning to sport](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/acl-injury-surgery-or-rehabilitation/) Your knee’s stability, associated injuries and future demands should shape the ACL decision—and rehabilitation belongs in either pathway. [Read the guide](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/acl-injury-surgery-or-rehabilitation/) Meet the clinicians ## Explore your *next conversation.* [![Andrew Wassef, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/andrew-wassef-md.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints ### [Andrew Wassef, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) Lakewood · Long Beach – Douglas Park [Meet Andrew Wassef](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) [![Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/prem-n-ramkumar-md-mba.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/prem-n-ramkumar-md-mba/) Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints & Sports Medicine ### [Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/prem-n-ramkumar-md-mba/) Lakewood · Long Beach – Douglas Park [Meet Prem N. Ramkumar](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/prem-n-ramkumar-md-mba/) [![Christopher Combs, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/christopher-combs-md.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/christopher-combs-md/) Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints & Sports Medicine ### [Christopher Combs, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/christopher-combs-md/) Lakewood · Long Beach – Douglas Park [Meet Christopher Combs](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/christopher-combs-md/) ## Publisher & attribution Commons Clinic Reviews is operated by Commons Clinic. This website is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Google, Zocdoc, or Yelp. Google, Google Maps, and Google Business Profile are trademarks of Google LLC. Zocdoc and the Zocdoc logo are trademarks of Zocdoc, Inc. Yelp and the Yelp logo are registered trademarks of Yelp Inc. 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