Regional Medical Center | Thrive for Life | Summer 2018

A bit about Mako Questions about Mako-assisted joint replacement? Here are answers to a few of those most frequently asked. Q : How long has the Mako procedure been available? The first Mako procedure was a partial knee replacement in June 2006. Since then, more than 83,000 Mako hip and knee replacement procedures have been performed around the world. Q : Does the Mako robotic arm actually perform surgery? No, the robotic arm does not perform surgery. Your surgeon will implement decisions and guide its movements. Q : How long do joint implants last? The lifetime of a joint replacement is not infinite and varies with each individual. Q : Is Mako covered by health insurance? Check with your health insurance carrier to verify your specific coverage. Source: Stryker Road to recovery After surgery, your RMC care team will help you on the road to recovery. “We approach care for our joint replacement patients as a wellness experience,” says Lynn Watson, RN, BSN, director of Orthopedics at RMC Anniston. “Patients are healthy individuals with hip or knee pain seeking a better quality of life. You wear your own comfortable clothes and follow an aggressive daily schedule.” It is RMC’s goal for every patient to return home after a short two- day hospital stay. Research shows that recovery in the home setting is the best way to get people back to their routines quickly, safely and effectively. With JointCOACH, the care team follows your progress through therapy and recovery. “My job doesn’t end when the patient is discharged,” says Shannon LeCroy, RN, MSN, Joint Care coordinator. “I talk with your home-care providers and outpatient rehabilitation staff to follow your progress.” Outpatient rehabilitation helps to strengthen the muscles and bones around the new joint; manage pain; and improve mobility, range of motion and dexterity. Working with the highly skilled physical and occupational therapists at RMC, patients soon return to living life at its fullest. Sources: jointpain.md; orthoinfo.aaos.org ; Stryker 9 rmccares.org