Orthopedic trends for 2020 appear to be focused on monitoring total joint care by administering physical therapy more efficiently, decreasing readmissions and better preparing patients for surgeries.
Likewise, orthopaedic physicians at TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center assure they continually look for ways to improve outcomes. Physicians now are better managing entire episodes of musculoskeletal care, from the time a patient first expresses concerns about joint pain to surgery and the end of rehabilitation.
Now there's also a more comfortable and reassuring way to experience postoperative recovery. The Joint and Spine Center at TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center is a 20-bed boutique dedicated to the wellness of patients who require all types of spine, orthopedic or neurosurgery procedures. This $3.5 million center consists of highly trained, board-certified physicians, along with a dedicated team of nursing and rehab personnel, discharge planners and pain management specialists.
"Patients receive pre-operative education prior to admission to the center, so they will better understand what's involved during hospital stays," says Angela Hill, director of the Joint and Spine Center.
"Once admitted, they enjoy a hotel-like setting in a private room with bistro dining and internet access. Meals and accommodations are available for a family member or coach throughout the patient's admission," Hill adds.
Both acute and degenerative conditions that affect the spine and joints are treated at The Joint and Spine Center. Joanna Conley, chief executive officer says the most advanced techniques and treatments are applied to manage and resolve spinal and orthopedic conditions.
One TriStar knee replacement patient, Wilhelmenia Jones, shares in a hospital video that she delayed knee replacement, due to the unknowns of post-surgery pain, healing process and rehabilitation, even though she was dealing with a bone-on-bone situation. She says when her knee kept popping out of place, she knew it was time to take some other action. Her knee replacement surgery experience surprised her in the most pleasant ways, in that she says she felt as though she was almost recovered on the same day of surgery, given how pain-free she then was and how quickly she got back to her normal life routines.
TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center teams hold accreditation by The Joint Commission in joint replacement of the hip and knee.
The center also offers minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS), which is a type of surgery on the bones of spines. This type of surgery uses smaller incisions than standard surgery; physicians indicate it often causes less harm to nearby muscles and other tissues. MISS treatment can lead to less pain and faster recovery after surgery.
Altogether, the center's medical teams handle arthroscopy, hip replacement, joint replacement, knee replacement, kyphoplasty, laminectomy, shoulder replacement, spinal fusion and minimally invasive spine surgery.
Additionally, TriStar's Joint and Spine Center is recognized as a Blue Distinction Center for quality-anchored knee and hip replacement from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Specialty Care designation program. These designated centers have recorded, lower complication rates and fewer hospital readmissions for an overall better patient experience.