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It's really amazing when you think about it. Today, doctors are able
to replace a person's old worn out knees and hips and replace them with
new ones. The result is relief from pain and a return of function in the
replaced joint. Most people who have the replacement return to a full
and independent life.
Saint Joseph Health Center is the only facility in the area offering
a specialized, team approach to patient care for people having joints
replaced. The team includes doctors, nurses, therapists and people going
through the same process at the same time. The idea is to have four to
six patients go through the program together.
The Carondelet Knee and Hip Center of Saint Joseph Health Center focuses
on a wellness program. "The program is in its third year-and it's working
because our philosophy is simple," says Annette Swanson, RN, program coordinator.
"The people who come here for a replacement are not sick, they're having
a joint replaced. We have dedicated rooms for this program, so they're
not around people who are sick. All patients in the program for the week
come in on the same day (the night before surgery), usually have surgery
on the same day and go through the education and recovery together. They
wear their own clothes-not hospital gowns-and they do things together
as a group. They have a built in support group."
Scott Luallin, MD, thinks this environment is good for most patients
having replacement surgery. "It gets them home earlier and is just healthier,"
says Dr. Luallin. "A lot of patients will surprise themselves. They'll
tell me, 'I won't be ready in four days,' but when the time comes, they
are ready-and happy to be going home and they return to normal activities
sooner."
Carroll Elrod was ready. Three days after his knee replacement he had
high praise for the program. "I'll be up dancing and carrying on in a
little bit," he says. Elrod went through the program with five others.
He says it's like having a built-in support group. "We all encourage each
other. We all moan together."
"We believe for most people, this is the best way," says Swanson. "It
gets people back to normal activities quicker than three years ago."
For more information, call The Carondelet Knee and Hip Center, 816-943-4740.
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