The Joint Center
Living well means different things to different people. Whether you love golfing, competitive cycling, walking, or lifting a grandchild, it's important to move without pain. Aging often presents challenges to comfortable movement. But no matter your age, there are ways we can help.
Arthritis affects about 40 million Americans, or one in eight. Arthritis, other degenerative joint diseases, and joint injury rob people of mobility and independence. Joint patients are primarily people over 60, but younger individuals may also benefit from the surgery. At The Joint Center at Valley Medical Center, orthopedic surgeons and staff are committed to combatting the effects of joint disease and injury and helping people revitalize their quality of life.
The Changing Face of Joint Replacement
We followed three patients of varying ages to chronicle their experiences with knee and hip replacement surgery. They came to the Joint Center to seek relief from pain caused by arthritis. All three had led active lives, but were increasingly unable to participate in their favorite activities. After surgery, they were up and walking the same day.
About The Joint Center
The Joint Center at Valley Medical Center is the first dedicated joint replacement center in the Pacific Northwest. The nursing, physical therapy, and o
ccupational therapy staff have special training and experience related specifically to the care and treatment of joint replacement patients and their families. They specialize in the latest technology and standards of care in this rapidly changing area of medicine.
The Joint Center is the leader in adopting the latest technology for joint replacement surgery. VMC surgeons continuously study and adapt innovations in the field. Among the most exciting tools is computer-assisted surgery (CAS). The Joint Center was one of the first to adopt this technology and report on our results in a multicenter study. CAS is a minimally invasive surgical option that also addresses a key issue in joint replacement: alignment. Poorly aligned joints are considered the major source of implant failure. William Barrett, MD, medical director for The Joint Center, was one of the first to use this advanced technology for joint replacement.
Top Rated By HealthGrades
The Joint Center is Best Rated in the Seattle area for Joint Replacement Surgery and Overall Orthopedics by HealthGrades, an independent firm evaluating national healthcare quality. HealthGrades also ranked Valley Medical Center among the top 5 percent nationally in orthopedic services. Here are some of the additional ratings The Joint Center has received:
- Recipient of the HealthGrades Orthopedic Care Excellence Award™ – Four Years in a Row (2005 - 2008)
- Recipient of the HealthGrades Joint Surgery Excellence Award™ - Two Years in a Row (2007, 2008)
- Best Rated in the Seattle Area for Joint Replacement Surgery
- Best Rated in the Seattle Area for Overall Orthopedic
- Five-Star Rated for Overall Orthopedic Services – Five Years in a Row (2004 - 2008)
- Five-Star Rated for Joint Replacement Surgery – Five Years in a Row (2004 - 2008) Five-Star Rated for Back and Neck Surgery (without Fusion) – Five Years in a Row (2004 - 2008)
- Five-Star Rated for Total Knee Replacement – Five Years in a Row (2004 - 2008)
- Five-Star Rated for Hip Fracture Repair – Five Years in a Row (2004 - 2008)
- Five-Star Rated for Spinal Surgery – Three Years in a Row (2006 - 2008)
For more information on these ratings, click here.
Joint replacement surgery at Valley Medical Center is scheduled on a Monday or Tuesday. Most patients leave the hospital by Friday, some as early as Wednesday. At VMC, we believe patients benefit from a partnership that includes the surgeon, the hospital staff, and family members.
Education
At Valley Medical Center, we also understand the importance of education. Patients receive educational materials and ample opportunity to ask questions. What to expect before and after surgery, what to bring to the hospital, how caregivers can help: these are some of the topics covered in our joint replacement seminar, held weekly at The Joint Center. To register for one of these informative briefings call 888.265.6468.
