“Having had prior surgeries at different hospitals I feel qualified to mention emphatically that none compared with the health care your staff just provided me during my recent joint replacement surgery.” – Jane Hare
Open since January of 2007, North Fulton Regional Hospital’s Joint Replacement Program has shown no signs of slowing. The program, a comprehensive orthopedic service consisting of pre-operative classes, physical and occupational therapy, orthopedic nursing, individual therapy and group therapy, operates with the primary focus and goal to get the patients out of the hospital so they can return to their homes.
Jane Hare recently returned home following participation in the Joint Replacement Program. Prior to her surgery, Hare suffered from degenerative arthritis and has had pain in her knee for the last 15 years. With the pain reaching the point of severity that it kept her from doing
much walking, she finally decided the time was right to take some action.
“With the arthritis, I was having bone-on-bone friction that was extremely painful,” Hare said. “My leg was stiff all the time; I couldn’t bend it well or stand for very long.”
After her surgery, Hare proceeded to the various therapy sessions that make up the Joint Replacement Program. These sessions can become intensely competitive, as Pat Moorhead, Director of Rehabilitation Services at North Fulton Regional Hospital, explains.
“Some patients will come in saying, ‘now how far did they walk today?’ wanting to walk further.” This promotes quicker recovery times and increases morale among the patients. Patients also receive instruction and practice in basic everyday activities such as getting dressed. Repetitive practice with these skills is essential for patients to have success upon returning to their homes.
Julie Vogt, a physical therapist at North Fulton Regional Hospital, made a particularly positive impression on Hare.
“I just loved Julie. She made the sessions fun and was so encouraging, saying ‘You can do it! You can do it!’”
But the excellent care did not stop with Julie. Hare praises all of the nurses that attended to her while she was a participant in the Joint Replacement Program and a patient at North Fulton Regional Hospital, saying they were all “caring and on top of things. They explained things so well and provided anything that I needed.”
Now a couple months out from surgery, Hare is pleased with the results of her knee replacement.
“I’ve seen a lot of difference. My knee is much stronger, and I can tell that it’s getting a little better with each day.”
To learn more about the Joint Replacement Center at North Fulton Regional Hospital, please call 770-751-2617, or visit us Online at www.northfultonregional.com/joint.
This testimonial reflects the experience and outcomes of this patient. Each case is different and must be independently evaluated and managed. Actual experiences and outcomes will vary.