Joint program provides patients unique experience

Joint pain is certainly not something you have to live with. Conservative treatments for joint pain, such as limited activity, pain medications and physical therapy, are often ineffective and inconvenient. If you have tried conservative treatments but are still experiencing pain that is affecting your quality of life, it might be time to consider more aggressive treatment, like the advanced surgical options available at Saint Francis Medical Center's Center for Joint Replacement.

The Center for Joint Replacement offers surgical treatment options for arthritis and other causes of joint pain that can help reduce, manage and even cure your pain. Arthritis is the most common form of disability, and 46 million Americans live with the pain associated with arthritis. Previously, a joint replacement was a long and painful process. Now, however, less invasive options are available that also include faster recovery times, like partial knee replacements. The partial knee replacement is a minimally invasive joint replacement procedure that is great for patients who suffer from isolated arthritis of the knee.

Some people who develop arthritis of the knee develop it only on the inside part of the knee. If these patients do not find results with standard nonsurgical treatments such as injections, physical therapy, weight loss or anti inflammatories, then they may be candidates for the partial knee replacement. There are a few options for the implants, and your surgeon will choose the one that is right for you. Some have been used in Europe for more than 20 years. The partial knee replacement has a survivorship of 95 percent over 15 years. That means 95 out of every 100 knees should still be functioning well after 15 years. The partial knee replacement removes 75 percent less bone than a total knee replacement. Because more healthy tissue is retained, patients usually recover function of the knee much faster, too. Patients usually leave the Medical Center the day after surgery. The Center for Joint Replacement is an award-winning joint replacement program that treats patients as adults undergoing an elective procedure to regain their active life, rather than as sick people. Patients are also provided with education regarding their procedure throughout the entire treatment process, from presurgery through the return home. Saint Francis has been ranked among the top three hospitals in Missouri and top 10 percent in the nation for overall orthopedics in 2010 and received the prestigious 2010 Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award from HealthGrades, the nation's leading independent healthcare ratings organization.

For more information, log on to www.sfmc.net or call 573-331-5877.