BRIDGEPORT, CT, February 28, 2005 - St. Vincent's Medical Center  is presenting Joint Camp Information Sessions for people who are interested in learning more about joint replacement surgery but are  not yet scheduled for surgery.

Participants will learn about Total Hip and Total Knee  replacement surgery, post-anesthesia care, their stay on the orthopaedic unit, and post-discharge expectations. Exercises to be done before and after surgery are demonstrated. 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" which takes patients from pre-operative 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 pre-operative 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," says Anne Moore, RN, Orthopaedic Nurse Manager. "The result is less pain, decreased need for medications and a faster return to normal activity."

For more information on St. Vincent's Joint Camp and to get upcoming dates and  register for the Information Sessions, call Orthopaedic Physician Assistant Gail Fulco at (203) 576-6429.    

Contact:

Lucinda I. Ames
(203) 576-5550
lames@stvincents.org