Joint Replacement Surgery

Rapid Recovery Joint Program - Join Us for a Trail Ride!

Some Scott & White patients will be hitting the trail soon, on a ride to rapid recovery. The new Scott & White Rapid Recovery Joint Program will start in March for patients undergoing hip and knee replacements. A part of the Bone and Joint Institute, it is a rapid and intensive rehabilitation program aimed at getting patients back on their feet often in three days or less!

Education and encouragement for patients
"The goal of this new program is to provide specific education and encouragement for our patients, helping them recover more quickly and with improved outcomes," said Dr. Kirby Hitt, head of joint replacement surgery. "Our doctors, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists and everyone else on the unit will be involved in this new rapid recovery program, to ensure that the patients get the best care they can and return home faster."

Trail boss and scouts
With a western theme, each patient will be the "trail boss" of their own recovery ride. Their progress through the program will be charted and they can set their own pace. In addition, friends or family members will be involved as "scouts" to help encourage their loved ones to finish the trail ride on time.

A team effort
"We wanted this to be a team effort, the patient, the patient's family/friends and the healthcare providers," said Colleen Milam, R.N., M.S.N., nursing director for orthopedics. "A patient's spouse, son or daughter, or good friend needs to be involved in their recovery, so we have created a way to involve them as the 'scout' to coach and encourage the patient through the continuum of care."

In addition to being 'wrangled' by their family, the staff hopes some friendly competition among patients will also help them go through the program more quickly.

"We think the patients will be able to push each other, and they will measure their progress against their fellow patients," Milam said. "They can help encourage each other to finish their 'trail ride' on time.

Reduced recovery time
Traditionally, patients undergoing joint replacement surgery were looking at a hospital stay of five to six days, but with the new rapid recovery program patients should be out in about three days and feeling better about it.

"This kind of program is important to the recovery of patients," Dr. Hitt added. "We can teach them therapies and techniques that they can do at home too, so that adds to their success. We also teach the 'scout' how to help at home, which keeps them an active part of the patient's care."

The Rapid Recovery Program hopes to see its first patients in March and hopes to have the official kick-off celebration in June.

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