Joint Camp At St Vincent’s

BRIDGEPORT — St Vincent’s Medical Center is presenting a Joint Camp information session on Monday, November 7, from 6 to 7:30 pm, in its Level 3 ETC Conference Room for people who are interested in learning more about joint replacement surgery due to painful hips and knees, but are not yet scheduled for surgery.

Participants will learn about total hip and total knee replacement surgery, postanesthesia care, their stay on the orthopedic unit, physical therapy, and postdischarge expectations. Exercises to be done before and after surgery are demonstrated by orthopedic staff. A question and answer period will also be provided.

The information sessions are part of St Vincent’s Joint Camp, a kind of comprehensive “boot camp” that takes patients from preoperative education and physical strengthening right through joint replacement surgery and recovery using a team approach. This helps prepare them physically and also lessens anxiety. Since preoperative classes and exercise sessions as well as post-op therapy sessions are in a group setting, patients have a support system and are able to encourage each other and stay motivated.

“We prepare patients for surgery and an active role in their recovery,” said Anne Moore, orthopedic nurse manager. “The result is less pain, decreased need for medications and a faster return to normal activity.”

Free valet parking is provided for those attending.

For more information on St Vincent’s Joint Camp and to get upcoming dates and register for the Information Sessions, call Gail Fulco, orthopedic physician assistant, at 203-576-6429.