UH is innovating joint replacement

Joints are meant to bend, twist and move with ease—until every step or stretch says otherwise.

For those suffering from joint pain, University Hospitals offers comprehensive orthopedic services, including total joint replacement. 

When you hear “joint replacement,” you probably think of hip and knee replacements. But University Hospitals is also leading the way in shoulder joint, ankle joint and neck disk replacements.

“University Hospitals’ orthopedic surgeons were among the first in the world to perform total hip replacement surgery, and today our team of highly skilled physicians continues innovating,” says James Voos, MD, Chairman of the Orthopedics Departments at University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University. “Last year we performed 7,000 joint replacement surgeries and the number of shoulder, ankle and cervical spine disc replacements are growing significantly.”

The orthopedic surgeons are experts in total joint replacement surgery, in which the damaged part of the joint is removed and then replaced with an implant made out of a combination of metal and plastic.

“The most common reason joint replacement is performed is for osteoarthritis, which causes deterioration of the cartilage in the joint over time,” says Dr. Steven Fitzgerald, Chief of Adult Reconstruction for Orthopedics at University Hospitals.

Nearly all University Hospitals’ joint replacement surgeries are now performed in its community hospitals and do not require a trip to the downtown campus. “We are moving our total joint replacement programs into the neighborhoods to make it more convenient for our patients,” Dr. Voos says. “We have a fully integrated system in which the same high standards and expertly trained surgeons are available in each community hospital.”

“Technology and recovery protocols have advanced to the point where 70% of our patients receiving a joint replacement go home the same day as their surgery,” he says. “These minimally invasive surgeries, coupled with anesthesia protocols and physical therapy, have created an environment where many patients can safely recover at home—where they feel most comfortable.”

“We have low infection rates, low re-admission rates and low rates of revision surgeries, so you can feel confident that you will have the best outcome possible here,” he adds. “Our patient satisfaction far outranks the national average.”

Joint replacement surgery is a team effort comprised of surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists and physical therapists.

“We take a comprehensive team approach, so patients are guided through their surgical journey from the minute they walk through the door to their post-operative visits,” Dr. Fitzgerald says.

A nurse navigator ensures patients have all appropriate pre-admission testing and that they are medically optimized for the procedure. The same nurse then helps schedule follow-up appointments with physicians and physical therapists. 

“Utilizing an interactive digital health assistant integrated with Epic’s MyChart patient portal, we guide you through your journey, including pain and satisfaction scales each day, and reminders to do your exercises,” Dr. Voos says.

“When you walk through the door at any of our orthopedic offices, our overarching goal is help you live an active life,” says Dr. Voos, who also serves as the head team physician for the Cleveland Browns and medical director for the Cleveland Ballet. “Whether you need physical therapy, an injection or surgery, our commitment is centered on each patient’s individual needs.”

Total Joint Replacement procedures are performed at:

• UH Ahuja Medical Center, 3999 Richmond Road in Beachwood.
• UH Beachwood Medical Center ,25501 Chagrin Boulevard in Beachwood.
• UH Geauga Medical Center, 13207 Ravenna Road, in Chardon.
• UH Lake West Medical Center, 36000 Euclid Avenue, in Willoughby.
• UH Parma Medical Center, 7007 Powers Boulevard, in Parma.
• UH St. John Medical Center, 29000 Center Ridge Road, in Westlake. 

For more information, call 216-384-8330 or visit UHHospitals.org.