For people who have been living with chronic joint pain that interferes with daily activities such as walking, exercising and working, joint replacement surgery may be the right option to relieve their pain.
More than 1 million hip and knee replacement surgeries are performed each year in the United States alone. Studies show that joint replacement surgery can significantly relieve pain and increase mobility in about 90 percent of cases.
Nationally recognized for its successful clinical outcomes, the MemorialCare Joint Replacement Center (JRC) at Long Beach Memorial has a revolutionary philosophy where patients are returned to their feet the same day of surgery. Led by Douglas Garland, M.D., the JRC program returns you to an active lifestyle as quickly as possible, with an average hospital stay being 2.7 days compared to the national average of 3.3 days.
Speedy recovery and drastically improved quality of life is a result of the Joint Replacement Center, with more than 71% of patients back to their active lifestyles within six weeks. On average 85% of patients are discharged from the hospital straight home and more than 90% of patients are likely to refer the JRC at Long Beach Memorial to their friends and family.
“We are constantly seeking to improve our outcomes,” says Dr. Garland. “We have a comprehensive system to help collect data and track patients’ outcomes through follow-up appointments. Successful outcomes, partnered with minimally invasive techniques, modern pain protocols, improved anesthetic techniques, and rapid rehabilitation protocols, select patients qualify for same-day outpatient joint replacement surgery. This allows patients to recover at home instead of overnight in a hospital the same day of surgery.”
Family centered care is a cornerstone of the JRC at Long Beach Memorial. The JRC features 15 private rooms, a group room for therapy, education and group lunches all in one area exclusively for joint replacement patients. “Patient coaches,” often patient’s family members or close friends, are assigned to participate and in the education and recovery of the surgery patient, to help make a smooth transition home.