April 20, 2016
Linda Blevins’ knee pain stemmed from osteoarthritis and was aggravated by the extra pounds she carried around. Her physician, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Matthew Smith, recommended injections for temporary relief. The only fix, he told her, was joint replacement.
Blevins, who lives in Crossville, endured the pain as long as she could before she scheduled knee replacement surgery at Marshall Medical Center South. Eight weeks later, she was back at work, having no pain and planning surgery for her other knee.
“I had a very positive experience with everything,” she says.
Before her surgery, Blevins, 59, signed up for Marshall Medical Centers’ Joint Academy. She learned all about the do’s and don’ts, what to expect and how to prepare. It made all the difference to her successful outcome.
“It was very helpful to me,” she says. “If you do just like they tell you, you come out the other side doing very well.”
Surgeons replace more than a million hips and knees each year in the U.S. Studies show joint replacements can significantly relieve pain and increase mobility in about 90% of people who get them.
People with knees worn out by arthritis - which deteriorates cartilage in the joints - may live pain free after joint replacement surgery.
Who needs a hip or knee replacement? Surgeons look at a few basic criteria. They include:
Pain and stiffness. Most people who need joint replacement have severe pain that makes it difficult to walk, climb stairs, get up from a chair or carry on with other normal activities. The pain is also chronic, lasting at least six months, according to a spokesman for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Poor quality of life. It's not only pain itself that matters, but how the pain affects your daily life. Do your joint problems limit what you can do? Do they affect your mood?
Bone damage. X-rays and other imaging may show severe joint damage from osteoarthritis or other conditions.
Non-surgical treatment failure. Medication, injections or devices – such as a walker -- aren't helping enough.
Deformity. Your knee is severely swollen or your leg is bowed.
At Marshall Medical Centers Joint Academy patients bring a “coach,” either friend, spouse, relative or neighbor to attend the class. A nurse, physical therapist and care coordinator explain how to ensure a successful surgery.
These experts offer suggestions to help at home, what to bring to pre-admission testing, what to expect on the day of surgery until you are discharged to your home or to rehab.
Patients who attend Joint Academy are better prepared for surgery. Research shows they typically:
have less anxiety
are more likely to complete their pre-surgery exercises
have fewer, if any, infections
leave the hospital sooner
use less pain medication
have smoother rehabilitation
Classes are free and can be scheduled as follows:
• First Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. in the Medical Plaza 3rd floor classroom next door to Marshall Medical Center North.
• Second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. in Dr. Smith’s Office, just past Marshall Medical Center South at the corner of Corley Street and US Hwy 431.
• Third Tuesday of each month at 6 pm in the Marshall Professional Building (next door to Marshall Cancer Care Center) at 6 pm.
To sign up or for more information call the Joint Academy coordinator at (256)571.8615 or talk to your orthopedic physician.