Award-Winning Joint Care

Knee and hip surgery can make a real difference in your overall outlook, comfort and well-being, leading to a better quality of living. Where you choose to have this important surgery can also make a difference.

Our hospitals have received some of the highest marks in the country for joint care provided to our patients. That's a difference that demonstrates better outcomes and fewer complications for patients across Northwest Indiana undergoing joint surgery at Community Hospital, St. Catherine Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center.

Our Joint Academy programs begin with each patient being fully educated about his or her procedure prior to surgery, and continues with inpatient group therapy, followed by education and readiness for recovery at home. Each patient is assigned their own specialized, dedicated team of orthopedic professionals.

Our patients are supported by board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic physicians, specially trained orthopedic nursing staff and surgical technicians through the surgery phase of their procedure. Patients continue therapy after discharge at the hospitals’ outpatient rehabilitation locations, where they receive education and follow up from certified physical therapists, occupational therapists and social workers.

We also involve family members as "coaches" keeping them informed so they can better guide and motivate their loved one as they prepare for continuing recovery at home.

Dedicated Orthopedics Unit

Patients and families benefit from a highly-supportive environment where they can meet others facing similar challenges. Our dedicated Orthopedics units features all-private rooms and are designed around the patient's comfort.

Features of The Joint Academies of Community Healthcare System include:

• Board-certified and/or fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists and licensed nurses and therapists who specialize in the care of joint replacement patients.
• A dedicated Joint Care team member who facilitates patient care from the pre-operative phase through discharge and recovery.
• Private rooms and beautifully designed with patient comfort in mind.
• Education of family and friends to enable them to participate as coaches in the recovery process.
• A patient guidebook that includes information on the plan of care from six weeks prior to surgery through discharge and outpatient recovery.
• A pre-operative orientation class for the patient and coach to help them feel confident in what to expect before, during and after surgery.
• Emphasis on group activities and therapies as well as an individualized plan of care.
• Group social time and lunches with other patients.
• Associated after-care program and follow-up.
• Quarterly reunion luncheons for former patients and their coaches.
• Public education seminars about hip, knee, shoulder, hand and elbow conditions and the latest in related technology and treatments.
• Educational and motivational tools such as a tracking board for walking progress and newsletters for the patients and family members.
• Our dedicated team of orthopedists and staff take pride in providing quality care that gets our patients back to an improved quality of life, enjoying their new-found mobility.

Indications:

Routine inpatient orthopedic surgery that is part of our joint replacement programs, includes, but is not limited to:

• Standard and Minimally Invasive hip or knee Surgery (MIS)
• Total joint replacement of knees, hips, shoulders
• Repair and reconstruction of the knee
• Open reduction internal fixation of the ankle, tibia, and other joints and bones
• Fractures, tendons and ligament repair