How do I find a good orthopedic surgeon?

I have an ACL tear and I posted a question today about the best method of repair, and everyone is saying you must pick a good surgeon. I live in California and there are many doctors here. My surgeon is a stanford grad. and woked with navy seals, but how do I know find the best (or one of the best) surgeons??

Where can I get the statistics, reviews, etc. How do I know how many successful surgeries he had and what is defined as 'success'?

Thanks in advance!

BTW, I did go to http://www.healthgrades.com
to research but that site has very little info

Ask a physician, nurse, physical therapist, etc who they would go to if they had to have surgery. These professionals work with the same patients who see orthopedic doctors and hear the positives / negatives and see the good or poor outcomes. Good luck.

i forgot

Ask a nurse

Word of mouth. Ask around and research different doctors. You should also check the Better Business Bureau before choosing. I also think there is a Medical or Surgical Association where you can check into different doctors. Good luck!

An orthopedic surgeon who works on Navy Seals has to be good.

As an alternative, look at your local professional sports teams. Somewhere you will find information as to which orthopedic surgeon they use.

Another alternative is to find a friend who works with a Workers Compensation insurer. They will have a list of surgeons whom they would use depending on priorities (best result, no matter what it costs, or best result for the dollar, or best or quickest return to work without complications or having to re-do everything).

The final alternative is to go to the surgeon you know, and ask him to tell you whom he would go to for knee surgery.