What is fellowship training and why does it matter?

Fellowship training is typically an additional year of advanced, specialized education and hands-on experience that a doctor undergoes after completing residency. In the case of hip and knee replacement, it allows surgeons to refine their skills, learn the latest techniques, and focus on complex joint surgeries. While there are certainly many examples of excellent hip and knee surgeons that did not complete fellowship training, there is data that shows fellowship training is associated with better outcomes and a smoother recovery. This is likely due to fellowship trained surgeons having high levels of personal interest in the area, which can certainly be present in non-fellowship trained surgeons as well! Your best bet is to find a surgeon that demonstrates special interest in hip and knee replacements and stays up to date on advancements in the field. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32540307/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38901710/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38933043/

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