COVID-19 has had far-reaching impacts on our lives, with medical procedures and surgeries deemed “elective” postponed in order to slow the virus’s spread. In reality, these procedures are far from optional: delaying medical interventions can result in increased health problems.

Increased Patient Safety Measures to Combat COVID-19

In recent weeks, we have resumed elective cases and implemented a number of protocols to ensure your safety as you take charge of your health and schedule procedures at our ambulatory surgery centers. These measures include:

• Screening everyone who enters the center for COVID-19 symptoms
• Taking the temperature of every person who enters the center
• Requiring masks for all employees and patients
• Enforcing social distancing guidelines
• Requesting patient escorts remain in the car until patient is ready to go home
• Increasing cleaning of high-touch surfaces throughout the day
• Providing hand sanitizer and tissues

Learn more about all of the steps we are taking to keep you safe.

Patients Feel Safe at our Centers

Patients who have already returned to the centers have first-hand experience of the new protocols in action. Their feedback has been extremely positive, with reactions like:

“During this COVID-19 time, I was especially nervous about my procedure but was immediately greeted by the friendliest nurse around. She was very courteous and kept asking if I was fine. She prepared me for the procedure by carefully doing everything that needed to be done and listened to me. The rest of the staff was also very professional and took great care of my needs. Thank you all for a great experience that I hopefully won’t have to repeat for a while.” – San Antonio, April 2020

“Even during these crazy times, I was treated with the utmost respect, courtesy and care. My doctor and her amazing team took the necessary steps to make sure I wasn’t put at greater risk during my procedure. They ensured all my questions were answered, and I was 100% ready going into and out of the procedure.” – Escondido, April 2020

“Sanitary, safe, NICE and COMPASSIONATE staff!! Thank you SO MUCH to all of my nurses throughout the entire experience!” – Lakeside, AZ, May 2020

Safely Schedule a Procedure

With increased safety measures in place, there has never been a better time to take care of that nagging hip or knee pain. Stop putting it off and call your doctor today to take the first step toward improving your health!

A new study found most patients who need a knee replacement are waiting too long and are missing out on the benefits of total joint replacement.

Knee replacement is one of the most successful procedures performed today, and it is effective to relieve pain and improve mobility. Doctors perform almost one million knee replacements every year. The average age of a patient scheduling total knee replacement is 70 years of age, and about 60 percent are women. Even though knee replacement is safe and produces good results, a new study from Northwestern Medicine claims patients are not scheduling their knee replacement at the optimum time.

Hassan Ghomrawi, associate professor of surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, led the study which analyzed more than 8,000 participants who had knee osteoarthritis or were at risk for the condition. Ghomrawi found 90 percent of patients with knee arthritis waited too long to have knee replacement and were not reaping the benefits of surgery. Also, 25 percent of patients who did not even need knee replacement were scheduling surgery too early. Ghomrawi asserted correct timing is essential to maximize effectiveness of total knee replacement.

Problems With Delaying or Rushing Knee Replacement

“People are waiting and waiting to have the procedure and losing the most benefit,” Ghomrawi stated. “When people wait too long, two things happen. The osteoarthritis causes deterioration of their function. Some of them wouldn’t be able to straighten out their legs, affecting their walking and mobility. When you can’t get exercise, you can start to develop other health problems such as cardiovascular problems. You may also become depressed. The overall impact can be huge.”

The study also found race affected patients’ decisions regarding timing of knee replacement. African-American patients were more likely to delay total knee replacement than Caucasian patients.

Scheduling knee surgery too early could mean patients may need to have a second surgery later in life, which could increase risk for less favorable outcomes and longer recovery time. The best timing for total knee replacement is based on a combination of factors such as age, joint function, pain and radiographic assessment.

Ghomrawi said doctors must make sure the timing of total knee replacement is optimal to offer patients the greatest benefit and keep healthcare costs manageable. “Because knee replacement is an elective procedure, the timing of surgery is susceptible to not just clinical factors but also demographic, socioeconomic and sociocultural ones,” Ghomrawi explained. “We need to develop a better understanding of these factors to improve timing of surgery.”

Schedule a Visit to Your Doctor

Are you interested in total knee replacement? Correct timing is essential. Make an appointment with your doctor so you can discuss the best timing for your surgery. Knee replacement surgery can help you regain your independence by alleviating pain and increasing your mobility, but talk to your doctor to make sure you are scheduling it at the optimum time.

A new study says rheumatoid arthritis is associated with other diseases like diabetes and heart disease, irritable bowel disease (IBD), sleep apnea and blood clots.

Rheumatoid arthritis, often known as RA, is a disease of the joints that is characterized by pain and inflammation. About 1.5 million Americans have RA, and women are three times more likely to develop the condition than men.

RA can cause many symptoms unrelated to the joints such as fatigue, weight loss and fever, and it can lead to many complications throughout the body.

A study by the Mayo Clinic found people who already had chronic diseases like Type 1 diabetes, blood clots or inflammatory bowel disease may be more likely to develop RA. The study also found patients with RA are more susceptible to developing blood clots, heart disease and sleep apnea.

Vanessa Kronzer, M.D., a rheumatology clinician investigator fellow at Mayo Clinic, was the corresponding author of the study. She said chronic health issues “accumulate in an accelerated fashion after diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.” Autoimmune diseases and epilepsy can make individuals more prone to RA, and RA could be a precursor to heart disease and other systemic disorders.

One of the most significant findings of the study was that there was a strong correlation between patients with Type 1 diabetes developing RA. This could help doctors be vigilant in looking for signs of RA in patients with autoimmune disorders. Blood clots were also common in RA cases before diagnosis. This leads researchers to conclude systemic inflammation might begin before RA symptoms manifest.

“Our findings suggest that people with certain conditions, such as Type 1 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease, should be carefully monitored for rheumatoid arthritis,” Dr. Kronzer explained. “In addition, people who have rheumatoid arthritis, and their health care providers, should have heightened suspicion and a low threshold to screen for cardiovascular disease, blood clots and sleep apnea.”

Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Call your doctor if you develop warning signs of rheumatoid arthritis. These may include:

• Joint pain, swelling, stiffness or tenderness for six weeks or longer
• Morning stiffness in the joints for 30 minutes or longer
• Pain and stiffness in corresponding joints (right and left hands, right and left wrists, etc.)

Undiagnosed RA increases the risk for other chronic diseases, so make an appointment with your doctor if you are experiencing joint problems. Early diagnosis of RA will lead to quick intervention and can prevent other chronic illnesses.

Are you experiencing pain, burning or tingling in your hand? You could be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, one of the most common conditions among working adults. According to a recent article, women are three times more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome than men.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Explained

The carpal tunnel is a thin channel made of bone and ligaments located along the bottom of the wrist. When this passage narrows or collapses, it squeezes the median nerve which helps control sensations and touch. Median nerve compression can cause symptoms of pain, burning or tingling in the thumb, fingers, hand and arm.

Why Are Women More Prone to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Anyone can develop carpal tunnel syndrome, but women are more likely to develop the condition than men. Perhaps this is due to hormonal changes that could affect fluid retention, especially during pregnancy or menopause. Swelling can reduce available space in the carpal tunnel and compress the median nerve.

An imbalance in the endocrine system like an underactive thyroid can also affect the risk for carpal tunnel syndrome. According to American Thyroid Association, more than 12 percent of women will develop a thyroid disorder during their lifetimes. Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid issues, which could be a key factor in why more women have carpal tunnel syndrome.

Factors that Increase Your Risk for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Besides hormonal imbalance, many factors can influence your risk for carpal tunnel syndrome including:

• Heredity — some peoples’ genes make them more likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome
• Hypertension, diabetes or obesity — these conditions can increase fluid retention
• Overuse of the wrist — small, repetitive movements like typing, using a mouse or working on an assembly line can strain ligaments in the hand
• Mechanical problems in the wrist — rheumatoid arthritis and previous wrist injury can cause inflammation of the carpal tunnel
• Cyst or tumor — a growth can impinge the carpal tunnel
• Using vibrating hand tools

Call Your Doctor for a Carpal Tunnel Evaluation

Wrist and hand irritation can sometimes go away on its own. However, if you are experiencing these symptoms, it is time to call a doctor:

• Burning, tingling or itchiness in the hand, palm or fingers (especially the thumb, index and middle finger)
• Dropping objects
• Decreased grip strength
• Sensation of swollen fingers
• Difficulty sensing hot and cold in the hand
• Sleeping with your wrists flexed
• Shaking your hands out after sleep

Do not let carpal tunnel restrict your lifestyle and schedule. One of our hand specialists can provide you a full evaluation and treatment plan so you can resume your normal activities without pain. Our doctors can prescribe a specific treatment catered to your unique needs, so call our office today to make an appointment.

If you are getting ready for a total hip or total knee replacement, you might want to assess your social support network. A new study from the University of Bristol suggests social support plays a crucial role in total hip or total knee replacement recovery.

Total joint replacement is one of the most common surgeries in the United States. Although most total hip and total knee replacement surgeries are successful, between 10 and 30 percent of patients experience long-term pain or long-term mobility challenges during recovery. Chronic pain and social isolation can cause feelings of loneliness and depression.

Friendships Aid in Total Joint Replacement Recovery

Vikki Wylde, Ph.D., of the University of Bristol, analyzed the effects of social support on total joint replacement. She and her colleagues examined more than 50 cohort studies and found strong social connections and friendships can help a recovering patient to:

• Cope with stress
• Reduce loneliness
• Receive psychological support
• Gather resources to facilitate recovery
• Gain confidence to resume normal activities

Dr. Wylde and her colleagues suggest total joint replacement patients seek group-based physical therapy and educational sessions during the recovery period. Group rehabilitation increases social interaction and could improve recovery outcomes. Wylde also advises patients to share information about surgery and recovery with spouses and family members so they can provide necessary encouragement and support.

Assess Your Social Network

Are you considering a total hip or total knee replacement? Perhaps it is time to reassess your social network. Instead of relying solely on virtual support through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, ask a close-knit group of trusted family members and friends to visit you in person and assist you through the recovery process. Friends and loved ones will likely be happy to provide support, but might just need you to take the initiative and ask them for help.

Create a Wish List for Total Joint Replacement Recovery

Several weeks before your surgery, create a wish list for family and friends. On the list include specific tasks, services or gifts your loved ones can provide to encourage and help you throughout your recovery process. Your requests might include:

• Visits to your home (for local friends)
• FaceTime calls (for out-of-town friends and family)
• Encouraging cards and emails
• A Meal Train
• Gift cards for take-out and delivery restaurants
• Flower delivery
• Grocery delivery
• Care packages
• Board games, movies and puzzles (through Amazon)

Give your family and friends the opportunity to help you. They will likely appreciate your guidance on how to best support you so you have a healthy and rapid recovery.

Talk to your doctor about more ways you can lean on your social network during total joint replacement recovery. Call today to make an appointment.

The American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) produced a video to help patients with joint replacements navigate airport security checkpoints.

Total joint replacements are among the most common surgical procedures performed in the United States. Surgeons complete more than 700,000 total knee replacements and 400,000 hip replacements per year across America (CNN). While artificial joints offer benefits such as restored mobility and pain relief, metal implants can create unique challenges for airline travel.

More than 90 percent of implanted total hip and knee arthroplasty devices will activate metal detectors at airports. This occurrence can cause frustration for TSA officers, embarrassment for patients and unnecessary delays for air passengers.

The new video is designed to inform joint replacement patients of strategies to communicate with TSA officers and streamline security screening areas of airports. In an interview with Healio.com/Orthopedics, Brett R. Levine, M.D., Chair, AAHKS Patient and Public Relations Committee, said the first thing patients should do is promptly inform the TSA officer about their metal implant.

Communicate Promptly With TSA

Patients may either inform the TSA member verbally or may present a TSA notification card if they wish to be discreet. There is no need to carry a note from a physician. Notification cards can be downloaded from TSA here.

TSA officers will offer patients the option of going through the body scan machine or undergoing a pat-down. The AAHKS suggests implant patients opt for the body scan machine, but a pat-down around the artificial joint may still be necessary.

Checklist to Quickly Get Through TSA

If you have just had total hip replacement or total knee replacement surgery, you can still travel with ease. Here is a quick summary of how to streamline your experience with TSA at the airport:

1. Take a moment to watch the video and share it with a friend.
2. Download the TSA Notification Card before you travel. Having the card allows you the option of discreet communication.
3. Present your boarding pass and photo ID at the first security checkpoint as you normally do.
4. After you send your carry-on and personal items through the scanner, inform the TSA officer that you have a metal implant.
5. Opt to go through the body scanner. Alternatively, you may choose a pat-down.
6. Be patient if the TSA officer asks to use a wand around your artificial joint (Healio).
7. Enjoy your travel!

Talk to your doctor if you have a total joint replacement and have concerns about traveling. You can make an appointment before your trip and get answers to your questions.

A new study suggests joint replacement patients may be happier going home on the same day as their surgery than staying overnight in a hospital.

If you are considering a total hip or total knee replacement, you may want to schedule it at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC). A new study presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ annual meeting suggests joint replacement patients may be happier going home on the day of surgery rather than staying overnight at a hospital.

More Patients Prefer Total Joint Replacement at ASCs

Richard Berger, M.D., an orthopaedic surgeon at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush in Chicago has completed more outpatient total joint replacement surgeries than any other physician in the country. He and his research team studied patients who had the same hospital, surgeon, anesthetist and nurse. The only variable was whether the patient chose to be admitted to the hospital and to stay overnight or whether the patient chose to be discharged on the day of surgery.

The team anticipated the patients who chose to stay overnight in the hospital would be happier than the patients who opted to go home, but they were incorrect. Patients who returned home on the day of surgery reported higher levels of satisfaction than patients who spent the night in a hospital. Dr. Berger said, “The research shows that patients like to be given a choice, and while the clinical outcomes are excellent for both, joint replacement patients are happier when they return to the comfort of home.”

Patients who went home on the day of surgery reported satisfaction with staff communication regarding medication as well as pain management protocol. One patient said she was happy to be able to walk out of the center and rest at home in her own bed. She felt that she recuperated more quickly than friends who had joint replacement surgery in an inpatient setting.

ASCs Save Patients Money

Another benefit of outpatient total joint procedure is cost. According to Becker’s ASC Review, an outpatient procedure could cost up to 50 percent less than an inpatient procedure.

The number of total joint replacements is expected to increase by 77 percent in the next decade, and cost will be a significant factor in how patients make decisions. The number of inpatient joint replacement procedures is expected to rise only three percent, but outpatient total joint replacements are expected to increase by 457 percent for knee replacements and 633 percent for hip replacements.

Do you need a hip or joint replacement? Talk with your doctor about scheduling your procedure at an ASC. Patients who are in good physical health and are at low risk for complications are excellent candidates for outpatient joint replacement at an ambulatory surgery center. You could save hundreds of dollars on your procedure and recover in the comfort of your home.

Ask your doctor for a list of in-network facilities near you.

Healthy intestinal bacteria could improve knee and hip replacement outcomes, but unhealthy gut bacteria could increase the risk of infection.