Informed Surgery
The library

Procedure guides

8 guides you can read now and 15 more on the way. Each one is free, independent and cites its sources. Waiting on one that isn't out yet? Tap "Notify me" and we'll email you when it's published.

Joint replacement Knees, hips and shoulders worn out by arthritis.

Sports medicine Torn ligaments, tendons and cartilage, mostly fixed through small incisions.

Spine Fusion and decompression for the neck and lower back.

Spinal Fusion Explained

When lumbar spinal fusion helps, when decompression alone or rehab may be enough, and what recovery and long-term risks look like.

Read now

Neck Fusion (ACDF) Explained

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for pinched nerves and spinal cord compression in the neck.

Coming soon

Brain and skull Cranial reconstruction and surgery on the brain and skull.

Cranioplasty Explained

Rebuilding the skull after part of it was removed: timing, implant materials, surgery and recovery.

Read nowFull sitecranioplastyexplained.com

Craniosynostosis Surgery Explained

Surgery for babies whose skull bones fused too early, and how families choose between approaches.

Coming soon

Chiari Decompression Explained

Decompression surgery for Chiari malformation: who needs it, what it involves and what to expect.

Coming soon

Deep Brain Stimulation Explained

Brain stimulation implants for Parkinson's disease and tremor, from candidacy to programming.

Coming soon

Face and jaw Corrective jaw surgery and the jaw joint.

Jaw Surgery Explained

Corrective jaw surgery for bite and facial balance problems, including orthodontics before and after.

Coming soon

TMJ Surgery Explained

Options for jaw joint problems, from conservative care to arthroscopy and joint replacement.

Coming soon

Hand and foot Common operations on the wrist, hand and ankle.

Carpal Tunnel Release Explained

Open and endoscopic carpal tunnel release, and when splints or injections are worth trying first.

Coming soon

Ankle Fracture Surgery Explained

When a broken ankle needs plates and screws, and what the long recovery back to walking looks like.

Coming soon

General and other surgery High-volume operations across general surgery, eyes, heart and gynecology.

Gallbladder Removal Explained

Laparoscopic gallbladder removal for gallstones, what recovery is like and life without a gallbladder.

Coming soon

Hernia Repair Explained

Inguinal and abdominal hernia repair, mesh, open versus keyhole, and when watching and waiting is fine.

Coming soon

Weight-Loss Surgery Explained

Gastric sleeve and gastric bypass, who qualifies, results, risks and how they compare with newer medications.

Coming soon

Cataract Surgery Explained

Cataract surgery and lens implant choices, including what premium lenses do and what they cost.

Coming soon

TAVR Explained

Replacing a narrowed aortic valve through a catheter, and how it compares with open-heart surgery.

Coming soon

Hysterectomy Explained

Types of hysterectomy, approaches, alternatives and what recovery involves.

Coming soon

No match in the library yet.

Tell us what you're looking for below. Requests help decide what we write next.

Don't see your surgery?

Tell us which procedure you'd like explained. We pick what to write next partly from these requests.

These guides aren't medical advice. They're written to help you understand your options and ask better questions. Your surgeon knows your case.

Get an email when it's ready

We'll send one email when is published. Nothing else unless you ask.