Total Joint & Spine Health Services
Annually, over 700,000 people undergo joint replacement surgery. Primary care candidates are individuals with chronic joint pain from arthritis that interferes with daily activities, walking, exercise, leisure, recreation and work. The surgery aims to relieve pain, restore independence and get patients back to doing the things they enjoyed before joint pain.
The Total Joint and Spine Health Services Unit has implemented a comprehensive planned course of treatment. We believe that you play a key role in promoting a successful recovery. Our goal is to involve you and your family in your treatment through each step of the program. This unit is unique in that it is a dedicated unit for total joint replacement and spine surgery patients within the hospital. Total joint and spine patients are healthy which is one reason we have established a dedicated unit.
Features of the Program:
- Specialized unit dedicated to total joint replacement and spine surgery patients Experienced and skilled surgeons Nurses, therapists and patient-care technicians who specialize in the care of joint and spine patients.
- Beautifully decorated private rooms Emphasis on group activities as well as individual care
- Family and friends are invited to participate as "coaches" in the recovery process
- Group lunches with your coach and staff on Wednesday and Thursday
- A dedicated Joint and Spine Care Coordinator who coordinates all preoperative care and discharge planning.
- A comprehensive patient guidebook to follow from six weeks pre-op until three months post-op and beyond
- Coordinated after-care support program
- Reunion luncheons for former patients and their coaches
- Daily activities newsletter
- Yearly reunions
- Free educational seminars about joint pain and joint replacement surgery
Pre-operative Education
The Total Joint & Spine Health Services Unit provides an educational program to help patients and families prepare for joint replacement surgery. Patients are each given a guidebook that contains a preparation checklist for surgery. The classes are scheduled two to three weeks before the scheduled surgery. Patients are educated on joint mechanics, and what to expect before, during and after surgery as well as recovery at home.
Your Inpatient Stay
The morning following surgery patients are dressed in comfortable clothing and prepare for group physical therapy sessions. Patients and their "Coaches" work with the Total Joint and Spine Health Services staff to provide motivation and promote a support system through shared experiences. Group lunches are held on the unit for patients and families to help facilitate friendships.
Going Home
Patients have their surgery on Monday or Tuesday, and typically return home after a three night stay in the hospital. The patient guidebooks provides information on stretching and strength-building exercises to do at home, and the patient''s "Coach" is trained to provide continue support and motivation during the recovery process.
For more information please contact our Total Joint and Spine Care Coordinator, Geanell Shores at 317.468.4199 or by email at gshores@hancockregional.org