Ranked 13th in the nation in the specialty of Orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report

A program of:

• Orthopaedic Institute

What makes us different?

Dedicated staff: Our joint care coordinator will guide you each step of the way. Everyone on staff is specially trained to care for joint replacement surgery patients.

Group emphasis: Our unique approach focuses on group activities, therapy, meals and support as a cornerstone of healing and recovery.

Coaching component: Our patients are encouraged to identify a loved one as their "coach" to support and encourage them to meet milestones during recovery.

Patient satisfaction: 90 percent of patients rate the overall quality of care as very good or excellent. 98.5 percent of patients indicate they would recommend the program to others.

Advanced surgical procedures: Surgeons strive to make joint replacement surgery as minimally invasive as possible.

Pain management: We partner with anesthesiologists from Northwest Anesthesia, PA, who have implemented a pain management sytem in which pain relief is specific to your needs and begins even before the surgery starts to ensure you are as comfortable as possible at each step of your surgery. This unique option is only available at Abbott Northwestern. And, group acupuncture is provided free-of-charge by the Penny George Insitute for Health and Healing.

Continuous improvements: We listen to patients and make changes based on the feedback you provide.

National recognition

Abbott Northwestern is a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement. This means we demonstrate expertise in quality care, resulting in better overall outcomes for patients, by meeting objective clinical measures developed in collaboration with expert physician panels and national medical organizations.

Note: Designation as Blue Distinction Centers® means a facility's overall experience and aggregate data met objective criteria established in collaboration with expert clinicians' and leading professional organizations' recommendations. Individual outcomes may vary. To learn more about Blue Distinction®, visit bcbs.com or contact Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

Abbott Northwestern's Joint Replacement Program earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval™ for hip and knee replacements by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission's national standards for health care quality and safety.

In addition, Abbott Northwestern is consistently ranked by US News & World Report as one of the best hospitals for orthopaedics.

Physicians

Scott Anseth, MD

Douglas Becker, MD

Douglas Drake, MD

Mark Engasser, MD

Tilok Ghose, MD

Allan F. Hunt, MD

Jay S. Johnson, MD

John Kearns, MD

Desiree Kempcke, MD

James Larson, MD

Kayvon Riggi, MD

Robert Tuttle, MD

Loren Vorlicky, MD

Support at each step

The joint care coordinator helps with your care needs from the time you schedule your surgery to the time you leave the hospital. This includes your pre-surgery class, helping with insurance questions, an evaluation ensure you are prepared for surgery, coordinating care between your primary physician and the hospital, and helping you plan for recovery at home.

What to expect after surgery

Day one: After you are bathed and dressed, you'll be helped out of bed and into your recliner by 7:30 a.m. The physical therapist will assess your progress and help you walk with a walker. You will be able to take pain medication. In the afternoon, you'll participate in group therapy. Your coach is strongly encouraged to participate. If you are having visitors, it is best for them to come in the late afternoon or evening.

Day two: Your day will start with an assisted morning walk to group therapy which will start mid-morning. Your coach is encouraged to attend as much as possible. On Sunday and Thursday, you'll have lunch with other patients and their coaches. In the afternoon, there will be another group therapy session. You may begin walking stairs with physical therapy. Your evening is free for visitors or relaxing. Some patients are discharged on day two (meeting therapy goals, medically stable, pain is controlled).

Day three: You'll be helped out of bed and dressed by 7:30 a.m. Most patients are able to go home mid-morning on day three.

Customized after-care: Your care team will work with you and your family to develop a personalized discharge plan. The majority of patients (nearly 80 percent) are able to recover in their own home, either with help from family and friends or with care providers who come into the home. Other patients will continue rehabilitation in a skilled nursing facility (or short-term rehabilitation center) where their medical needs can be monitored at all times and there are many types of help and services available.

Patient stories

Jeffrey Back to work after bilateral knee replacement For seven years, Jeffrey had delayed knee replacement surgery. The chronic joint pain had been interfering with his daily activities—a sign that surgery might be the right choice.

John An active lifestyle following hip and knee replacement surgeries When John, a retired Navy and commercial airline pilot, was exploring his options for joint replacement surgery, the decision was an easy one.

Sandra New knees and a new lease on life Two knee replacement surgeries at Abbott Northwestern’s Joint Replacement Center in 2009 and 2010 gave Sandra the ability to lead the active, healthy lifestyle she desired.

Debi Surgery date: Dec. 23, 2008 - Returned to work: March 3, 2009 Debi Henry is used to being in the hospital. As an epidural resource nurse, she's seen all types of patients.

Mike A nagging knee injury made working as a chef increasingly difficult for Mike While culinary expertise is the main qualification to be a chef, it certainly isn't the only one. For example, you're also required to work long hours on your feet.

Barbara After surgery on both knees, an active lifestyle resumes It was bad enough when Barbara Lambert had one painful knee to contend with. Then her other knee started to bother her.

Russ Excellent care before, during and after surgery A recent experience with knee replacement surgery confirmed something that Russ Brackett and his family have agreed on for many years: Abbott Northwestern is their hospital of choice.