“I recovered fast,” said Jack, seen here with his son, Don, and loyal pal Pearl.

Jack Meegan, from the town of Delton, lived with knee pain for 10 years. After a while medication wasn’t helpful. In 2008 he found an innovative approach to knee replacement and patient care at the new SPMHC Joint Replacement Center (JRC).

“I checked a few places. I was most impressed with Sauk Prairie’s professionalism. They explained what I should expect every step of the way, including a meeting with everyone involved in my care,” said Jack.

The JRC program includes a group of 10 newly remodeled rooms—equipped especially for joint patients—in its own section of the hospital, plus a physical therapy room.

The center serves patients nationwide and is only the second one of its kind in Wisconsin. Since opening in September 2008, 90 percent of all JRC patients have gone home instead of a rehabilitative facility after their JRC visit. In the past, it was 67 percent. This is due to the center’s approach.

“Our team approach includes physical therapists and nurses assigned solely to the JRC,” said Sarah Cook, RN, the JRC care coordinator.  She manages the center’s day-to-day operations, working closely with patients and staff. Cook has been with SPMHC since 1997. “This consistency enhances patient care. A family member’s involvement in physical therapy and the group’s support contribute to our unique team approach, which shortens patients’ visits and significantly improves outcomes.”

Jack was eager for knee surgery. His left knee had wear and tear from years of hard work. Still active at 71, he’s owned and worked a large Christmas tree farm for 34 years. Jack was sole caretaker for his wheelchair bound wife for 10 years before she passed in 2008.

“Only six hospitals in the world offered the new knee surgery that I wanted. Fortunately, Sauk Prairie was one,” said Jack. The Biomet Signature™ Personalized Patient Care system, unlike traditional knee replacement, uses a 3-D MRI of the patient’s knee for a custom-made fit.

Jack’s surgeon was Arnold Rosenthal, MD, orthopedic surgeon from Orthopedic Associates, one of the center’s five surgeons. SPMHC is the first in Wisconsin to perform this surgery. 
Jack said, “I recovered fast. The morning after surgery I walked around the whole place and went to physical therapy right away. Having my own coach and working with a group helped me work harder. I went home two days after surgery. My knee feels great.”

Patients attend group therapy for 90 minutes twice each day, which provides a supportive environment while speeding up recovery. The program encourages patients to have a private coach—a relative or friend chosen in advance.

Kathy Straub, PT, has been with SPMHC for 15 years. “We measure how far patients can walk before they go home. The average consecutive walk is 414 feet compared with 181 feet before we had the center. Range of motion has dramatically improved as well.”

The JRC approach is a wellness approach. Patients even wear their own clothes. When people come for joint replacement, they’re not sick, and they’re not treated that way.

Advanced anesthesia options
SPMHC became a regional training center for advanced anesthesia in 2008. Patients have the latest anesthesia options for surgical and postsurgical pain, many unavailable in other hospitals. One is the femoral nerve block, which blocks sensation in the femoral (thigh) nerve—ideal for knee surgery in the JRC.

The femoral nerve block reduces the need for other strong painkillers, offers faster recovery time, and decreases anesthesia sickness. Patients have a portable, patient-controlled infusion pump for better pain management during their stay.

“I never felt nauseous, and I had very little pain,” said Jack. “The anesthesia was perfect. Everyone got to know me and what I needed, and the nurses were remarkably attentive; I never had to wait.”

Curtis Johnson, a CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist) for 12 years, is on the JRC leadership team. “We have excellent outcomes because of advanced training and state-of-the-art equipment. Equally important is our relationship with the patient. It starts about two weeks before surgery and lasts through post-recovery. We’re treating a person, not just a body part.”