Questions to Ask Your Joint-Replacement Surgeon

I am Dr. Leo Zalikha, and I would rather spend an extra fifteen minutes with you up front than have you leave with doubts you never voiced. Below are the questions I most want my patients to ask, grouped by topic so you can bring them to any surgeon you are considering for a total knee replacement or total hip replacement.

Print this list and bring it with you, or jot your surgeon’s answers right on it. The free PDF below contains every question on this page as a checkbox sheet. Questions before your visit? Call (562) 362-5024.

Download the printable checklist (PDF)

The single best predictor of a good result is an experienced surgeon doing a procedure they perform often. These questions get at training, volume, and who will actually be in the room.

• Are you fellowship-trained in adult reconstruction (hip and knee replacement)?Why it matters: Fellowship training is a year of focused, post-residency subspecialty work in joint replacement.
• How many of this exact procedure do you perform in a typical year?Why it matters: Higher surgeon and hospital volume is associated with lower complication rates.
• Who actually performs my surgery — you, or a resident or assistant, and which parts?
• How do you handle complications and revisions when they come up?
• What is your own complication and re-operation rate for this procedure?

There is rarely one “best” technique — there is the one that fits your anatomy and your surgeon’s experience. Ask why a given choice is right for you.

• Which surgical approach do you recommend for me, and why that one?
• Do you use robotic or computer assistance, and what does it actually change for my outcome?Why it matters: Ask what it changes in practical terms rather than accepting it as a selling point.
• How do you choose which implant to use for my case?
• Am I a candidate for a minimally invasive or muscle-sparing technique?
• How long do you expect this implant to last for someone my age and activity level?

A trustworthy answer here is specific and honest about the downsides, not just the success stories. Ask for numbers from this practice.

• What is a realistic outcome for someone with my age, weight, and activity goals?
• What are the most common complications, and how often do they happen in your practice?
• What would make you cancel or delay my surgery?Why it matters: Knowing the disqualifiers up front helps you prepare and avoid a last-minute cancellation.
• What specific steps do you take to prevent infection?
• What are the risks of waiting or not having surgery at all?

The operation is one day; recovery is months. These questions set your expectations for the part of the journey you actually live through.

• Will I go home the same day, or stay overnight?
• What does the physical-therapy plan look like, and when does it start?
• When can I expect to drive again and return to work?
• What should I know about dental visits and antibiotics after my replacement?
• What warning signs should prompt me to call your office right away?Why it matters: Knowing the red flags — fever, drainage, calf pain — lets you catch problems early.

Cost questions are fair to ask and worth asking early. Keep them general — your insurer and the facility billing office can confirm specifics for your plan.

• Is the surgical facility in-network for my insurance plan?
• What will my estimated out-of-pocket cost be, and what does that include?
• Are the surgeon, anesthesia, and facility fees billed separately?
• Who in your office can help me get a written cost estimate before I schedule?

1. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (OrthoInfo). Total Hip and Knee Replacement: Questions Patients Should Ask Their Surgeon. orthoinfo.aaos.org. OrthoInfo
2. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Hip or knee replacement — before — what to ask your doctor. Review Date 6/4/2025. MedlinePlus

The best way to get answers tailored to your hip or knee is to sit down with a surgeon. To talk through your options with me, call (562) 362-5024 or request an appointment.

Still deciding who to see? Read our guide on how to choose a knee-replacement surgeon, or learn more about Dr. Zalikha.