Total Joint Center
Are you living with joint pain?
The best reasons for choosing a joint replacement are to relieve chronic pain or improve how well your joints work. The Total Joint Center at Cape Cod Healthcare can help. Here you’ll find highly skilled, specialized joint care close to home. We’ll help you pinpoint the source of your pain, recommend a treatment plan and coordinate your care from diagnosis through rehabilitation, with access to all the resources of the Cape Cod Healthcare system. We’re committed to providing proven, safe, quality care to our patients from pre-op through recovery.
Joint care expertise
When you choose CCHC for joint care, you benefit from:
- Talented orthopedic surgeons trained at some of the best medical centers in the nation and are certified in their specialties by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.
- A team of dedicated nurses and other orthopedic professionals working together to help you achieve the best possible outcome for your specific condition and needs.
- The latest surgical technology, resulting in smaller muscle-sparing incisions, less pain and faster recovery times.
- Comprehensive education about osteoporosis, arthritis, bone-on-bone wear and other conditions that cause joint pain and loss of mobility to help you and your family every step of the way.
- State-of-the-art orthopedic units with a healing environment and attractive private hospital rooms designed with your optimal recovery in mind.
- Individualized physical rehabilitation services for all ages, conditions and needs.
We offer joint replacement surgeries for:
Preparing for Joint Replacement Surgery
Once you’ve decided to have joint replacement surgery, you can start to prepare for the best possible experience and outcome. The orthopedic staff at Cape Cod Healthcare is here to help you every step of the way. The more you know about your orthopedic surgery, the more likely you are to have optimal results. The Total Joint Center at Cape Cod Healthcare places a high priority on making sure you and your family are well-informed throughout the process.
Before surgery
In the days leading up to your surgery, please:
- Try to quit smoking at least three to five days before surgery. This will decrease your chances of lung problems and help speed your recovery. Smoking is not allowed in the hospital.
- Eat healthfully. The better you eat before surgery, the better you’ll feel after surgery.
- Get regular exercise. This helps prepare your body for the stress of surgery and the road to recovery.
Pre-admission testing
Your doctor will schedule an appointment for you to complete the medical tests and nursing assessments you’ll need prior to surgery. This appointment will take about one hour and should occur two weeks before surgery. You’ll receive information about what medications to discontinue before surgery.
The day of surgery
You’ll receive a phone call from the Pre-Admission Assessment and Testing nurse the day before your surgery. The nurse will tell you what time to arrive at the hospital (generally 90 minutes before surgery).
Joint replacement surgery typically takes two to three hours for a single joint, followed by time in the recovery room. Family members and friends are welcome to wait for you during surgery. Once you are transferred to the recovery room, the surgeon will talk with them about your surgery and tell them when they can join you.
Healing environment
At Cape Cod Hospital and Falmouth Hospital, you’ll find state-of-the-art orthopedic units with a unique healing environment designed to support and enhance your recovery.
- Nearby staff workstations and a separate lounge area for family members and visitors
- “At Your Service” room service from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm daily
- Free Wi-Fi
Discharge planning
All patients having joint replacement surgery should expect some type of rehabilitation after discharge from the hospital. Some patients can go directly home and receive therapy from a certified home health agency or at an outpatient rehab facility. Others may require inpatient rehab. Your doctor or nurse will talk with you about what type of rehab to plan for and discuss options for care. A Cape Cod Healthcare case manager is available to help you with your discharge planning.
Learn more about orthopedic rehabilitation services at Cape Cod Healthcare.
Recovering from Joint Replacement Surgery
After surgery, you may expect life to return to the way it was — but without the pain. In many ways, you are right. But it will take time. Your doctor will encourage you to use your "new" joint as soon as possible. Although it may be challenging at times, following your doctor's instructions will speed your recovery.
You are a partner in the healing process. The success of your surgery is dependent upon your commitment to your recovery.
Following surgery, physical and occupational therapists help you minimize scar tissue formation and increase your new hip’s mobility with a customized rehabilitation plan. This inpatient therapy offers you the support and encouragement you need to speed healing and learn how to care for yourself at home.
Before you leave the hospital, a plan of care that may include outpatient rehabilitation therapy or at home with the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod, will be in place to ensure you have the most complete recovery possible.
