The prospect of joint replacement surgery is understandably nerve-wracking for patients and their family, so Piedmont created its Joint Effort class to educate patients and address their concerns.

Joint Effort is a one-hour class for people planning to undergo total hip or knee replacement. It teaches participants what to expect before, during and after surgery. “This class actually prepares you for the surgery process,” says James Mobley, charge nurse, 4 North, and class facilitator. “You know what is going on and are informed about the entire process.” There are two major challenges joint replacement patients will face when undergoing surgery: pain and mobility.

The class covers addresses these issues and covers:

• Bathing and diet prior to surgery.
• How nurses will help you recover and manage your pain after the procedure.
• Occupational and physical therapy.
• A safe transition from the hospital to your home.

Caregivers are encouraged to attend the class with the patient. “If you’re helping somebody move around the house, you want to make sure you know what’s going on with them,” Mobley explains. “You need as much information as possible to help them out.”

Relieving anxiety

“This class helps relieve a lot of unknowns for patients,” he says. “If you’re going into a procedure not knowing what is going to happen, it can make things rough for you.” The more informed you are about the procedure, the better your recovery process is likely to be.

“We want you to know what to expect and what the recovery process is going to be like,” he says. “We want you to feel empowered in your decisions and know what’s going on.”

To learn more about Joint Effort or to register for the class, click here.

Need to make an appointment with a Piedmont physician? Save time, book online.