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Contact: Kristi Gooden, 615/ 284-5446, kristi.gooden@baptisthospital.com
BAPTIST HOSPITAL CELEBRATES HISTORY IN JOINT REPLACEMENT WITH UNVEILING OF EXHIBIT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Feb. 3, 2010 – Baptist Hospital was the first hospital in the region to perform total hip replacement surgery 41 years ago today. To celebrate its history in joint replacement surgery, Baptist Hospital unveiled today a joint replacement history display and hosted a celebration with its orthopedic surgeons and caregivers.
The eight-foot-wide, floor-to-ceiling historical display located in the Baptist Hospital Joint Replacement Center features sample implant designs for knee, hip and shoulder replacements, photos and information on the evolution of joint replacement.
“Baptist Hospital has a rich legacy in joint replacement and our surgeons worked alongside joint replacement pioneers from across the world,” said Bernie Sherry, president and CEO of Baptist Hospital. “Many of our orthopedic surgeons, past and present, have been instrumental in research and design of new technology and protocols for joint replacement. Because of their work, we are consistently recognized among the best in the nation. This display showcases their efforts and allows our patients to get a better picture of the high-quality care they receive.”
The first total hip replacement in the region was performed at Baptist Hospital on Feb. 3, 1969, by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ben Fowler. Dr. Fowler and Dr. Eugene M. Regen, Jr. traveled to Europe at various time to learn about the surgery and technology from early leaders in the field. Both designed some of the medical instruments used in the technology’s infancy. Dr. Fowler created the “Fowler knee,” which paved the way for today’s knee replacement designs and was used for approximately 20 years.
The amount of time a patient spends in the hospital for joint replacement surgery has changed dramatically over time. During the early years, patients arrived at the hospital two days prior to surgery and stayed for two to three weeks. Now, patients arrive the day of surgery and generally go home within a few days.
Baptist Hospital’s joint replacement program includes an educational component designed to help patients become familiar with joint replacement surgery so they may recover more easily and return to the activities of daily living. The continuum of care is maintained from pre-operation education through surgery to a physical therapy setting that is often very close to the patient's home through Baptist Sports Medicine. Physical therapy, exercise and fitness are stressed and play an important role in a patient’s recovery.
Baptist Hospital’s joint replacement surgeons perform more than 1,500 total joint replacements each year. HealthGrades, the leading independent health care ratings organization, recently recognized Baptist Hospital’s joint replacement program as five-star rated for joint replacement surgery and total knee replacement.
