Orthopedics

Helping you move forward, that’s the Power of U!

When your quality of life has been affected by a bone or joint disorder, the orthopedic teams at UofL Physicians are ready to get you back on your feet, helping you move forward toward a healthier life. Our fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic physicians and staff are leaders in all areas of orthopedic care including: emergency, trauma, surgery, rehab, sports medicine and home care.

The impact of a musculoskeletal injury or arthritis can be devastating to your quality of life, robbing your independence and mobility. Our team at UofL Physicians – Orthopedics has received specialized training in orthopedic surgery and are nationally recognized leaders and educators. Many are dedicated to the study of medicine for the purpose of making advancement in orthopedic care and understand that their research, discoveries and leading-edge therapies impact lives every day.

We provide a comprehensive approach to patient care, including prevention, education, diagnosis and treatment for acute or chronic bone or joint disorders. 

Procedures for total joint replacement and sports medicine, as well as treatment of the back and spine, foot, ankle, knee and shoulder are available, including specialists in pain management, rehabilitation, and arthritis.

Certified registered rehabilitation nurses and physical therapists specializing in orthopedic care are also on-hand from UofL Health – Frazier Rehab Institute. Located throughout our local and regional communities, the UofL Health – Frazier Rehab teams are dedicated to patients in need of specialty care and recovery related to orthopedic injuries and procedures. 

Orthopedic Care at UofL Health – Jewish Hospital

UofL Health – Jewish Hospital has a comprehensive program for patients who are scheduled to have total joint replacement. Once a patient is scheduled for a total joint replacement, an appointment will be scheduled for pre-admission testing one to two weeks prior to surgery. At this appointment, you will receive education on your total joint replacement.

The patient and their family meet with an orthopedic coordinator who completes the necessary preoperative paperwork and registers the patient for surgery. The coordinator also explains how the surgery is performed, what happens after surgery and the steps for going home. Initial discharge planning is started prior to surgery and various options are discussed concerning rehab, home health or outpatient physical therapy.

The necessary preoperative lab work and electrocardiogram (EKG) are completed, followed by a meeting with a physical therapy professional. All of this is performed in one convenient location and is usually completed in less than two hours. The orthopedic coordinator will also see you during the patient’s hospital stay and is available to the patient and his/her family whenever necessary – whether it be during pre-operative, post surgical or even after discharge from the hospital.

Orthopedic Care at UofL Health – Mary & Elizabeth Hospital

The Bone and Joint Center at  UofL Health – Mary & Elizabeth Hospital is a dedicated orthopedic unit with private rooms and a rehab clinic. We encourage patients to complete a pre-joint class taught by orthopedic nurses to help patients prepare for every stage of the joint replacement process.  After the procedure, patients are usually ready for discharge home within a couple of days after their surgery.

Total Joint Replacement Surgery

Is an injury or pain in your joints limiting your activities and keeping you from fully experiencing life? At UofL Health – Orthopedics, minimally invasive joint replacement procedures are being used every day to help patients begin moving again. 

Focusing on a comprehensive joint program that includes outstanding patient care, we strive to assist patients with non-operative methods before surgery. Patients are first evaluated for treatment with non-steroidal medications, physical therapy and visco-supplementation prior to considering surgical procedures. If surgery is a must, minimally invasive procedures are looked to first and are individualized based on the specific needs of each patient.

Minimally Invasive Joint Replacement 

Minimally invasive procedures, including total knee replacement and hip replacement, involve the use of smaller incisions than those used in traditional surgeries. Because there is less damage to the tissue, patients who undergo these procedures may expect a shorter hospital stay, a shorter recovery and a better looking scar.

All minimally invasive joint surgeries performed at UofL Health are centered on a technique known as muscle-sparing. No muscles are cut during muscle-sparing – they are merely separated or avoided. Because the incision is smaller and no muscle needs to be repaired, recovery is faster and less painful with these cutting-edge techniques.

State-of-the-art implants made from titanium, chrome-cobalt, ceramics and cross-link polyethylene are used in joint replacement surgeries. Each patient receives individualized care based on their needs with respect to the approach and implants used. 

A premiere orthopedic and joint replacement hospital network, our physicians are leaders in the field who train other doctors in these advanced surgical methods. Our joint replacement surgical team includes highly skilled, orthopedic physicians assistants, nurses and surgical technicians, as well as, anesthesiologists that specialize in post-operative pain management. Our goal is to improve a patient’s quality of life by providing state-of-the-art techniques and implants coupled with a comfortable hospital experience.

Rehab therapists see patients during their hospital stay for gait training and functions of daily living. Most patients are typically discharged in two to three days after surgery, once basic therapy goals are achieved.

Ask your doctor if minimally invasive orthopedic surgery is right for you. 

Robotic-Arm Assisted Joint Replacement

If you experience severe joint pain in your hip or knee, have degenerative joint disease, or are dealing with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, MAKO robotic-arm assisted surgery can provide relief. It’s based on your unique anatomy and uses robotic-arm assisted technology to offer many benefits which may include smaller incisions, less scarring, less pain, shorter hospital stays, and more rapid recovery. UofL Health – Jewish Hospital is home to Louisville’s first MAKO robotic arm-assisted technology.

How does MAKO work?

If your surgeon determines that you are a good candidate for the MAKO procedure, prior to your surgery date you will have a CT scan performed. This is used to create a 3-D model of your joint. The surgeon uses MAKO software with information from the model to plan your surgery based on your unique anatomy.

During surgery, the software provides real-time information to optimize implant positioning and alignment, and the robotic arm is used to prepare your socket and guide accurate placement of the implants. This can be difficult to achieve using traditional surgical techniques without the robotic arm system.

About MAKO

Stryker acquired MAKO Surgical Corporation, a pioneer in the advancement of robotic-arm assisted orthopedic surgery, in December of 2013. Stryker’s MAKO robotic-arm assisted reconstructive surgery is transforming orthopedics, combining Stryker’s market-leading implants with MAKO’s proprietary robotic-arm and tactile guidance system technology. Over 65,000 MAKO hip and knee procedures have been performed since 2006.