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The Joint Journey

Mercy’s orthopedic surgeons, Thomas V. Whitten, M.D., Joseph John Ciotola, M.D., Marc W. Hungerford, M.D., and Kamala Littleton, M.D., are proud to offer The Joint Journey at Mercy – a program specifically designed to guide patients through the hip or knee replacement process. Patient education, compassionate care, and comprehensive treatment are the hallmarks of The Joint Journey at Mercy.

From pre-operative education to post-operative therapy, The Joint Journey provides patients with the information and tools that emphasize wellness, support a stress-free recovery, and assist in a return to an active lifestyle.

The Joint Journey at Mercy Highlights

• Guided by the philosophy that patients play a key role in their own recoveries, patients are involved in their treatment processes through each step of the program.
• Once the physician and patient decide that a joint replacement is the best course of treatment, the patient receives a Joint Navigation Journal, which explains the entire process from surgery preparation to post-surgical follow-up.
• The Joint Journey team includes dedicated nurses and therapists trained in joint replacement as well as a joint program coordinator. This specialized team works together to help patients with their recoveries and is available to answer any questions.
• Patients are encouraged to choose a family member or friend to act as a “coach” through the hospital stay and recovery process.
• Prior to surgery, patients and their coaches attend The Joint Journey class during which the replacement process is explained and patients can ask questions pertaining to their surgeries and hospital stays.
• Following a joint replacement, patients wear their regular clothes while in the hospital. Patients participate in an intensive rehabilitation process that prepares them and their coaches for a safe transition to home.
• Group activities are scheduled throughout a patient’s stay in the hospital so patients and their coaches can support and encourage each other on the journey to recovery. Group activities include group physical therapy, group luncheons, and discharge education classes.
• Patients receive daily newsletters while in the hospital to explain the day’s activities.

The Joint Journey Coordinator – Guiding Patients Through Joint Replacements

A dedicated Joint Journey Coordinator acts as an advocate for each patient throughout the course of treatment. The coordinator helps patients with their individual care needs from the surgeon’s office, to the hospital stay, to home and is available to answer patients’ questions and ease their concerns. The Joint Journey Coordinator:

• Coordinates hospital care by maintaining communication with the surgeon, nurses, and rehabilitation team
• Coordinates a safe discharge plan, including provision of equipment needs, therapy, nursing care, if needed, and other resource needs

The Joint Journey Goals

The Joint Journey program educates patients regarding the joint replacement process and provides amenities to enhance the recovery process. Education, communication, and home-like environment help patients with their recoveries.

For information about The Joint Journey at Mercy, call 410-332-9778.

Now Accepting New Patients.
Most Insurances Accepted.

Please call for an appointment.
Phone: 410-539-2227
Tollfree: 1-800-MD-Mercy (1-800-636-3729)