Joint Replacement
The Joint Center at Merit Health River Oaks is a special area designated for the care of joint replacement patients. The Joint Center brings together a team of knowledgeable surgeons with compassionate and specially trained nurses, therapists and technicians. The goal is to provide seamless coordinated care and get you back to your favorite activities as soon as possible.
We believe the key to better outcomes is a commitment to education and the comforts of home for you and your family. Knowing what to expect each step of the way in a soothing environment goes a long way to reducing stress and anxiety and preparing you for a smooth recovery.
A Thorough Approach
The Joint Center approach to joint replacement surgery encompasses wellness, early mobility, family involvement, education, personal responsibility, group interaction and minimally-invasive and rapid-recovery techniques.
With improvements in surgical techniques and post-operation care, it is now common for many patients to be able to go home from the hospital after two or three days. If you have both knees replaced at the same time, your stay can be a day or two longer. Of course each patient is different, but the goal should be for you to recover in the comfort and privacy of your own home as soon as possible.
Our approach includes:
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Private rooms with bathroom attached
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Group physical therapy – patients can support and encourage each other on the road to recovery
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Rehabilitation room located down the hall from patient rooms
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Casual clothes – no hospital gowns for this crowd
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Family and friends participating as coaches in the recovery process
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Community outreach seminars
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An informative pre-operation class for patients and your family
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A patient guidebook that explains your surgery step-by-step
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Daily newsletter explaining the day's agenda, along with tips for caring for your new joint
Services include:
There may come a time when knee or hip pain may reduce the quality of your life. Everyday activities, such as walking, shopping or housework can become difficult or unbearable. Taking part in favorite hobbies such as golf or bowling may be a thing of the past because conservative measures like diet, exercise and medications no longer provide relief or alleviate your pain. If this is you, it may be time to consider joint replacement.
Minimally Invasive Options
The surgeons at Merit Health River Oaks can offer a minimally invasive option to alleviate knee pain associated with early to mid-stage osteoarthritis. Surgeons use a robotic arm surgical system to perform partial knee replacement, a procedure that allows them to resurface the diseased area while sparing the patient's healthy bone and surrounding tissue. The digital tracking system constantly monitors and updates the patient's anatomy and allows the surgeon to make real-time adjustments to optimize implant positioning and placement.
Surgeons also use a robotic surgical system to provide a minimally invasive option for total hip replacement. This advanced technique allows surgeons to prepare the hip socket for a more exact implant alignment, and reduces complications such as excessive wear on the joint, unequal leg length or dislocation.
Robotic surgery may offer a number of potential benefits over traditional joint replacement techniques, including
- Enhanced implant positioning that results in a more natural motion
- Less pain, a shorter hospital stay and a quicker recovery
- Typically covered by most Medicare-approved and private health insurers
For more information, please call (601) 936-2381.