Capital Region | Capital Health | Winter 2019

crmc.org 5 Brad Burkett, avid golfer and grandfather, found that the pain in his hip was beginning to affect his daily life. Routine tasks, like putting on shoes and socks, became increasingly difficult. Exercise became more of a challenge, and getting a round of golf in was a painful endeavor. On the advice of his physician, he decided the time had come to take action and go ahead with hip replacement surgery. “When I decided to have the procedure, all my friends assumed I’d go to Columbia,” Burkett says. “My response was, ‘Of course I’m having my surgery at Capital Region.’ I have a great relationship with my doctor, I trust him, and I like the hospital and staff.” David Flood, MD, orthopaedic surgeon at the Missouri Orthopaedic Institute at Capital Region Medical Center, performed a total hip replacement on Burkett in July. After the surgery, Burkett joined fellow joint replacement patients in Capital Region’s Joint Replacement Center. Set up for success The Joint Replacement Center is a comprehensive program that is based on a national best practice model for hip and knee replacements and structured around the fundamental principles of wellness. The program incorporates advanced surgical techniques, pain management and early mobility—with an environment that maximizes patient recovery through education, family involvement and group interaction. Patients of the Joint Replacement Center identify a coach, usually a family member or loved one, who is an active participant in their care before and during their hospital stay and after discharge. Both patient and coach are required to attend a pre-operative class two weeks before surgery, where they meet their Joint Replacement Center team, in addition to learning about the procedure in detail, what to expect in the hospital and how to care for oneself after discharge. Coaches learn the program right along with their loved one and provide encouragement and support every step of the way. One person—a care coordinator—oversees the patient’s entire stay and is their resource before, during and after discharge. All staff at Capital Region’s Joint Replacement Center receive specialized training and are chosen to work on the unit because of their expertise; positive, upbeat nature; and highly motivating attitude. Patients follow a daily schedule that begins as soon as the day of surgery. Each day, patients receive a daily newsletter with their breakfast, letting them know the agenda for the day, along with tips on how to care for themselves later. Two group therapy sessions are held daily in a gym located on the unit. Patients compete with one another on distance walked each day, with progress tracked on a large exercise board posted in a common area. This exercise board provides visual reinforcement of goals. They find the camaraderie both challenging and rewarding. Knowwhat to expect “To me, the Joint Center program was very beneficial in letting the patient and the coach know what to expect before and after the surgery,” says Burkett. “The in-house physical therapists, both the day of and the day after surgery, were excellent, and I enjoyed everyone participating in recovery and therapy in a group setting. If I had known it would have gone this well, I would have done it sooner.” Now, several months after his hip replacement, Burkett is back to hitting the links and hoping for forgiving greens. “I am back to playing golf and exercising, and best of all, I can put my shoes and socks on pain-free!” Getting back to golf and living pain-free “To me, the Joint Center program was very beneficial in letting the patient and the coach knowwhat to expect before and after the surgery,” says Brad Burkett, who had a total hip replacement last July.