The St. Mary-Corwin Joint Replacement Center is designed to help our patients live a life free of joint pain. Our program is designed to return you to an active lifestyle as quickly as possible. Most patients will be able to walk the first day after joint replacement surgery, and move toward normal activity in six to twelve weeks.

We have planned a comprehensive planned course of treatment for each patient. At the St. Mary-Corwin Joint Replacement Center we believe that you play a key role in promoting a successful recovery. Our goal is to involve you in your treatment through each step of the program. Our team, and your team, includes physicians, physicians' assistants, nurses, patient care technicians, and physical and occupational therapists specializing in total joint care. Every detail, from peri-operative teaching to post-operative exercising, is considered and reviewed with you.

Preparation, education, continuity of care, and a pre-planned discharge are essential for optimum results in joint surgery. Communication is essential to this process. We have created a number of resources for our patients including a guidebook, classes and a comprehensive team of individuals.

The St. Mary-Corwin Joint Replacement Center's unique program is designed to encourage the best results leading to a discharge from the hospital three days after surgery. Features of the program include:

• Dedicated nurses and therapists trained to work with joint patients
• Casual clothes (no drafty gowns)
• Private rooms
• Emphasis on group activities
• Family, friends and volunteers participating as "coaches" in the recovery process
• Group lunches with your coach and staff
• Pre-operative care and discharge planning
• A comprehensive patient guide for you to follow from six weeks before surgery until three months after surgery and beyond
• Quarterly luncheons for former patients and coaches
• Daily in-patient newsletters to educate patients on their surgery
• Community education seminars about hip and knee pain