We have great news for your knees – and your hips, too!
As we age, so do our joints. If you’re encountering pain in your hips and knees due to arthritis, overuse during sports or physical activity, or an injury, the dedicated staff at the Methodist Medical Center’s Joint Center is here to help. Many times, joint pain can be relieved through gentle exercise, physical therapy and medication. But if pain is keeping you from the activities you enjoy most or affects your overall quality of life, it may be time to consider joint replacement surgery.
Knowledgeable, Caring Staff in a Comforting Environment
At Methodist, your experience is important. Undergoing a joint replacement procedure can be a life-changing event, and our specialists will be with you every step of the way. Are you ready to declare your freedom from hip or knee pain?
Step 1: Meet Your Joint Care Coordinator
From the moment a patient enrolls in the program, a joint care coordinator is assigned to the patient and the patient’s family. The coordinator will address any questions or concerns before and after surgery.
A comprehensive guide is provided so every patient knows what to expect from start to finish. Patients are enrolled in an educational class before surgery to learn as much as possible about their procedure. They also learn steps to take to help ensure that surgery goes well, such as adding joint strengthening activities to their daily routine and continuing their exercise regimen.
Step 2: Undergo Minimally Invasive Surgery
Thanks to advances in technology, highly skilled board-certified orthopedic surgeons can use minimally invasive techniques to help you return home sooner with decreased risk of infection and blood loss. Some patients may stay in the hospital for one or two days following joint replacement surgery, while some may have their procedure on an outpatient basis and return home the same day. In the past, patients may have had to wait a couple of weeks to return home after a traditional orthopedic surgery.
Step 3: Recover with Family Close By
The Joint Replacement Center includes 12 large private patient rooms, each with space for family members. Our medical staff encourages family to room-in as the patient recovers. Each room features special rehabilitation recliners for the patient to use while regaining strength and balance through short exercises. As patients recover, they receive one-on-one time with a physical therapist. These specialists encourage family members to be coaches during therapy sessions.
Group activities are also available to help reintroduce patients to a daily routine. In addition to helping move patients and their families from pre- to post-surgery, our medical staff provides newsletters to let patients know what activities are scheduled for that day.
Step 4: Stay on Track with Outpatient Therapy Services
Once a patient returns home, outpatient therapy begins. Patients have a choice of facilities, including Methodist Therapy Services in Oak Ridge. At Methodist Therapy Services, all patients get one-on-one time with a physical therapist as they regain strength, range of motion and the ability to perform daily tasks, such as getting dressed and bathing. Flexible therapy schedules are available so patients can get the care they need at a convenient time.
Knees or hips won’t quit hurting?
Joint Replacement Surgeries
Click below to learn more about your joint issue and treatment options:
Learn more about what the Methodist Joint Replacement Center has to offer. Call (865) 835-4550 to speak with our joint care coordinator.