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 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 new Bone and Joint Center – part of an $11 million newly 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.
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, also available through our affiliate, VNA Services, Inc.
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
Taking care of you
It is important to us that you come to your surgery with peace of mind, knowing what both your surgery and recuperation will entail. We strongly encourage all potential orthopedic patients and anyone who will be involved in their care and recuperation to go to one of our specially prepared preoperative classes.
Presenters will include:
- Orthopedic nurse
- Physical therapist with a specialty in orthopedic patients
- Anesthesiologist
- Representative from the Sister Anne Virginie Grimes Rehabilitation Center
- Discharge planning nurse
Presentation topics will include:
- Preparing for surgery: what to bring or not bring with you to the hospital
- How to prepare your home for your return
- Information on rehabilitation and short-term rehabilitation centers
- Transportation issues
- Insurance issues
- Scheduling of any necessary blood work or xrays
For more information
To learn more about the Bone and Joint Center at Saint Raphael’s, call 203.789.4140. To register for a preoperative class, call 203.789.3258.