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erikcason | 3 months ago (raw) | root | parent | reply | flag +1 
 What is something that you would like to say about your field that is taboo, and leaves you afraid that if you say it, you could be cancelled? Such as suspicions about say using opioids in injury recovery, or a surgical procedure that you generally think is over prescribed? Thanks for your participation here!
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mcsnubbs | 3 months ago (raw) | root | parent | reply | flag +2 
 Jesus, thank you for the excellent question! 

I focus on trauma, which limits my exposure to the typical orthopaedic landscape. There isn’t much bureaucracy or room for debate when your limbs are mangled and you fail to provide basic functions of life for yourself. 

“Bone broke, we fix.” The orangutans of the surgical world. I’m perfectly fine with this characterization. 

If I could pass one general piece of advice from a surgical perspective: ALWAYS get second opinions before non-urgent surgical procedures. 

You’d be surprised how often I’m asked to review medical plans from friends/family. Although they are often outside of my field of practice, I have immediate access via my physician group to about 500 physicians covering every subspecialty, and you’d be surprised how often I find conflicting opinions regarding the best plan of care. Sure, it’s to be expected in ‘grey areas’ where risks and benefits seem balanced; however, at least once a year I’m confronted with a case in which the proposed plan is obviously outside of the normal scope of practice. 

As in all areas of life, incentives drive outcomes. Don’t be surprised to find that your private-practice surgeon is over prescribing surgical procedures to pad their bottom line. The only way you’ll really know is if you take the time to dig. Or, ask me of course.