Up & Coming Weekly

September 17, 2019

Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.

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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM SEPTEMBER 18-24, 2019 UCW 11 Every year, more than half a mil- lion people in the United States undergo joint replacement surgery because of painful arthritis that has greatly limited their activity. With the enhanced technology and surgical techniques available today, joint replacement surgery has become a routine procedure for orthopedic surgeons. There are two hospitals in the area that provide full service orthopedic surgical care: Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville and Hoke Hospital near Raeford. They represent Cape Fear Valley Health System's ongoing commit- ment to bring comprehensive health care to all residents of southeastern North Carolina. To help patients achieve success, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and Hoke Hospital have developed the Joint Replacement Club. Prospective patients enroll in this club even be- fore they have surgery. It starts with a special three-hour class taught by a physical therapist. About 90-95% of patients experience a good to excel- lent result with relief of most, if not all, of their pain. However, rehabili- tation after surgery is the key to a better life. This means patients must be prepared to put a lot of effort into their rehab, especially in the first few weeks after surgery. Most hospitals that routinely per- form joint replacement surgery offer some type of program that includes preoperative education and stan- dardized protocols to ensure that patients receive the right care at the right time during and after their hos- pitalization. At Hoke Hospital, the Joint Replacement Club is in a sepa- rate wing on the second floor. This keeps other hospitalized patients with serious illnesses separated from the orthopedic wing to reduce the risk of infection. Hoke Hospital rehab methods are patterned after established protocols at the parent medical facility in Fayetteville. The Joint Replacement Club has adopted a horse racing theme, called the Race 2 Recovery. Following surgery, patients sit up in recliners for breakfast and then attend group physical therapy for an hour in the morning and again in the afternoon. Participants are also encouraged to walk when they are not in therapy. In the hallway, distances are mapped in feet, and participants track how far they walk each day. The Joint Re- placement Club has been shown to improve outcomes, increase patient satisfaction and reduce length of stay. Patients find the experience is just more enjoyable. Race 2 Recovery prepares patients for their release from the hospital. Joint replacement surgery compli- cations can arise if plans are not in order before leaving the hospital. To be discharged, a patient must be able to enter and exit a bed and a chair without too much assistance. He or she must be able to go to and from the bedroom, kitchen and bathroom as well as be able to walk with the aid of crutches or a walker. A hip replacement surgery risk or a knee replacement can both be devastating without the proper subsequent care. That is why physical therapy is im- perative to heal completely. A good home care agency can help meet these needs. Hoke Hospital's race to recovery by JEFF THOMPSON To help patients achieve success, Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and Hoke Hospital have developed the Joint Replacement Club HEALTH "Cumberland County's Community Newspaper" ROCK Independent free papers bring buyers and sellers together with more audited circulation than your daily. During these times, it is more important to make the right advertising choice. We're it. We can help your business. SOLID

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