Knee Replacement Discrimination, What Can Women Do To Prevent This?

Dr. O'Connor explains what women can do to prevent knee replacement discrimination.

Dr. O'Connor:
My message to all patients would be make sure that you understand what your medical problem is. That means you’ve got to be able to communicate well with your doctor. So you need to feel comfortable with your doctor, and it’s stressful at times because, you know, we only have a certain amount of time with patients. So it’s very helpful when patients come prepared with a list of questions.

And, and I don’t know any doctor that won’t go through the whole list of patient questions, and then you feel some satisfaction. I have met their need. I am answering their questions. So come prepared with questions.

If you feel like you are not getting answers from the doctor, ask again and say, “Doctor, I don’t understand,” or “I don’t understand that terminology,” because we are trained, doctors are trained to speak in this kind of language with all kinds of words that you may not understand, and the whole point is I want you to understand because we need to be a team. If we don’t function together as a team, we won’t have the best outcome for you as the patient.

About Dr. O'Connor, M.D.:
Dr. Mary O'Connor, M.D., was accepted as a resident in orthopedic surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, New York in 1985. She joined the orthopedic surgery staff at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida in 1991, and since 2005 has served as department chair. Dr. O'Connor cares for people with hip and knee arthritis, failed joint replacements, and pelvic tumors.

Visit Dr. O'Connor at Mayo Clinic