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(left to right) Marc Hungerford, M.D., Joint Journey Program Director; Kamala Littleton, M.D.; Thomas Whitten, M.D., Chief, Division of Orthopedics at Mercy; Joseph Ciotola, M.D.

Orthopedics And Joint Replacement At Mercy Launches "The Joint Journey" At Mercy

A Patient-Focused Program for Hip and Knee Replacement Patients

Thomas Whitten, M.D., Chief, Division of Orthopedics at Mercy; Marc Hungerford, M.D., Joint Journey program director; Joseph Ciotola, M.D., and Kamala Littleton, M.D., are proud to introduce The Joint Journey at Mercy, a patient-focused program specifically designed to improve outcomes for hip and knee replacements, emphasizing a commitment to shorter hospital stays, easier recovery, and patient-focused education--all enabling patients to return more quickly to their daily activities.

The Joint Journey philosophy is to have patients take an active role in their treatment plans. From pre-operative education to post-operative therapy, The Joint Journey provides patients with information and tools that emphasize wellness, support a stress-free recovery, and assist in their return to active lifestyles.

Patients benefit from a dedicated staff of orthopedic surgeons, anesthesiologists, physician assistants, nruses and therapists who specifically work with joint replacements.

A dedicated Joint Journey Program Coordinator communicates with each patient regarding presurgery class, hospital stay, recovery and discharge plans. Each patient receives a Joint Navigation Journal which explains the entire process from surgery prep to post-surgical followup. Patients take part in group activities including group physical therapy, luncheons and discharge education classes. 6-8 weeks after discharge, patients are invited to attend a reunion luncheon.