Is Joint Replacement Right for You?

If arthritis in your hips, knees or shoulders is keeping you from enjoying life, you may want to talk with a St.Vincent Orthopedic Center physician about joint replacement surgery.

If the surgeon determines that you are a candidate for joint replacement surgery, you will be referred to the St.Vincent Orthopedic Center Surgery Evaluation Center (SEC). Located on the first floor of the St.Vincent Orthopedic Center, the Surgery Evaluation Center is where all your pre-operative testing – chest x-rays, blood tests, cardiac stress tests -- will be done.

Results from the pre-op testing are entered directly into your chart, which is readily available for your physician to refer to as necessary. Your surgeon will receive notification of any concerns that may arise from the pre-op testing so that he or she can determine whether your surgery can take place as scheduled.

On the day of your surgery, you’ll come back to the St.Vincent Orthopedic Center, where the registration process will be quick and easy, thanks to pre-registration that is done by phone several days before your surgery date.

Your procedure will be performed in one of our state-of-the-art surgical suites, built to allow surgeons to teleconference with other specialists when necessary. The pre-operative and recovery areas where you will be treated are used for orthopedic patients only – ensuring the highest quality of pre- and post-operative care.

While you recover from surgery, you’ll be cared for on an inpatient unit solely dedicated to patients who have undergone joint replacement procedures. The staff on this unit has specialized training and expertise in helping joint replacement patients recover and return to normal activities as quickly as possible.

A significant part of your in-patient recovery will be rehabilitation services from our physical therapy and occupational therapy staff. Your therapists will work with your nurses to make sure you have adequate pain management before your therapy sessions for optimal comfort during therapy. When possible, your therapy will take place in the privacy of your own room.