Joint Connections at St. Mary’s
Joint Connections at St. Mary’s is a unique program designed for total hip and knee replacement patients. With an emphasis on education and wellness, the program is provided in a group atmosphere of mutual support and encouragement.

The Facility

Joint Connections is located on the Fifth Floor of St. Mary ’s Hospital Medical Center. Newly remodeled patient rooms are dedicated to joint replacement patients and are complete with private bathrooms, coach accommodations and special furniture for joint replacement patients.
A physical therapy room is designed for group therapy and provides ease of access in a supervised environment.

The group meeting room boasts a TV/DVD, snack cart and a variety of games and reading materials.


The Joint Connections Team

Joint Connections nurses, physical therapists and staff are dedicated to you and your recovery. A Coach is a family member or friend whose primary role is to provide encouragement and support throughout your joint replacement experience. Your coach will be with you through every phase, learning what happens before, during and after joint replacement surgery. They will work with a physical or occupational therapist to learn exercises, techniques and equipment for use after surgery and at home.


The Experience
Joint Connections is a program designed for “well” patients. Understanding that joint replacement patients are typically healthy, the program is designed to get people back to an active life. Participants dress in street clothes, socialize with other joint replacement patients and engage in a variety of activities during their stay.
The Joint Connections Experience includes:

• Pre-surgical evaluation class - provides information and education. Participants learn what to expect before and after surgery and will have an understanding of what happens during surgery.
• Most surgeries are done at the beginning of each week in order to have patients back in the comfort of their homes by the week’s end.
• Group therapy motivates and encourages participants to regain mobility and function.
• Daily agenda with daily goals.
• Social amenities.
• Group meals and celebrations.
• Home care kit – includes everything needed to get joint replacement patients back to an active life – instructions on medications and exercise, information on what to expect, answers to commonly asked questions, as well as contact information.