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A leader in joint replacement with over 1,000 procedures each year and THE leading hospital in Connecticut for bilateral joint replacement

The treatment of bones and joints has advanced dramatically, and the Hospital of Saint Raphael in New Haven has not only kept pace with new advances, it's long been a leader. More patients come to Saint Raphael's than any other hospital in Connecticut to have bilateral joint replacement - replacing either both knees or hips at the same time. We perform more than 1,000 joint replacements each year.

Our expert orthopedic surgeons also perform more single joint replacements - including knee and hip surgeries, as well as joint replacements for shoulder, ankle, hand and wrist - than any other hospital in the region. And now, they are doing this amazing work at Saint Raphael's Bone and Joint Center - part of an $11 million recently constructed wing of the hospital.

Our expertise also extends to joint replacement procedures for the shoulder, ankle, finger and big toe. Saint Raphael's is a leader in general orthopedic surgery and care, providing services in fracture repairs, sports medicine, orthopedic surgery for children, and treatment and repair of abnormalities caused by illness or accidents.

We've earned a Blue Distinction designation

In recognition of our expertise, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut has designated the Hospital of Saint Raphael as a Blue Distinction Center for knee and hip replacement surgery.  The criteria used to evaluate facilities for the Blue Distinction include the experience and training of surgeons, quality management programs, coordination of patient care between disciplines and preoperative patient education.

Care continually focused on you

Today's joint replacement surgery is designed to help you resume your active lifestyle quickly and with confidence. The Bone and Joint Center's highly trained staff includes orthopedic physicians, most with special training in joint replacement procedures; residents; physician assistants; registered nurses; physical and occupational therapists; physiatrists; and anesthesiologists. Our program begins with teaching you what you'll need to know before surgery at one of our preoperative classes, and continues with physical and/or occupational therapy while you're still in the hospital. To ensure the quality and continuity of the care you receive while a patient in the Bone and Joint Center, four physician assistants are part of the staff of the Bone and Joint Center. These hospital employees support and assist the work of your physician, helping with monitoring your surgical incisions and providing pain management assistance.

Your recovery may continue at an extended rehabilitation facility, such as Saint Raphael's Sister Anne Virginie Grimes Health Center.  We'll follow your progress once you're home and can help you arrange home care.

Our technology, services

Saint Raphael surgeons use the newest joint replacement implants and materials to help increase joint longevity. Our current technology for knee replacement surgery includes computer-assisted surgery, which may enable the surgeon to make more accurate bone cuts and provide a more balanced knee.

Joint replacement

During hip replacement surgery, damaged or diseased "ball and socket" parts of the hip joint are replaced with similar-looking materials that can be made of ceramic, metal or plastic. Hip movement occurs when the top of the femur, which resembles a ball, moves within a hollowed portion of the pelvis known as the socket (acetabulum).

With knee replacement surgery, an artificial material replaces the damaged cartilage that joins the shin bone (tibia) and thigh bone (femur). Also, a small, plastic prosthesis covers the back of the kneecap (patella).

Shoulder replacement surgery replaces the worn shoulder joint, which includes a ball (humeral head) that goes into the socket (glenoid). The ball sits atop the upper arm bone (humerus) and the socket is part of the shoulder blade (scapula). The new joint is made of metal or plastic and the metal ball is attached to a stem that goes into the humerus.

Ankle joint replacement surgery most often inserts two components, both made of metal and plastic, with one part going into the lower part of the bottom leg bone (tibia) and into the top of the ankle (talus) to help increase mobility and to relieve pain.

During finger joint replacement surgery, the damaged cartilage around the finger's joint is removed and replaced with an implant made of silicone, metal or pryocarbon. The implant is inserted between the finger's two bones on either side of the damaged joint.

Replacement of the big toe joint can be done to relieve pain and arthritis. Both sides of the toe joint are replaced by a metal and plastic implant.

Our other orthopedic procedures

The Hospital of Saint Raphael also offers these orthopedic procedures.

• Arthroscopy for the knee, shoulder, hip, ankle and wrist
• Fracture treatment
• Spine surgery, including surgery for discs and spine fusion

For more information about the Bone and Joint Center at Saint Raphael's, call 203-789-4140.

Also see:  Rheumatology

Web Links:

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons