Jeffrey G Deppen, DO

Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number for the following situations:

• There is obvious deformity.
• There is moderate or severe swelling and discoloration.
• Bones sound or feel like they are rubbing together.
• A snap or pop was heard or felt at the time of the injury.
• The injured person cannot move or use the affected part normally.
• The injured area is cold and numb.
• The injury involves the head, neck, or spine.
• The injured person has trouble breathing.
• The cause of the injury suggests that the injury may be severe.

Over the telephone, you can find out if the recommended surgeons are board certified, which means that the doctors have passed a standard exam given by the governing board in their specialties, and where the doctors attended medical school. Your local medical society will provide this information. (This should not always be a determining factor. If you’ve never heard of the school, you might want to do more research.)

Sometimes, it is a plus if the doctor is involved in any academic pursuits, such as teaching, writing, or research, as this surgeon may be more up-to-date in the latest developments in his or her field. Find out where the doctor has hospital privileges and where these hospitals are located. Some doctors may not admit patients to certain hospitals, an important consideration, especially if you have a chronic health problem. You should also consider how many surgeries this physician has done for your particular problem. For example, if you are having back surgery to repair a ruptured disc, 25 to 30 previous surgeries would be minimum.

When acromegaly is treated early, doctors have a much better chance of managing the progression of the disease. People with acromegaly are at an increased risk of developing other major health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart failure, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and cancerous tumors. Starting treatment as soon as possible may prevent these complications.