What is it?

The Joints in Motion program at Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC) uses a team approach for rehabilitation after hip and knee replacement surgery.  Extensive patient education classes are held prior to surgery with emphasis on pre-operative and post-operative care.  Our goal is to have patients up and moving as soon as possible after surgery.  The expected length of stay in the hospital is approximately three days.

What is Offered?

Some components of the program include:

• A “support” person for each patient – a family member or friend selected by the patient to support him/her during the program and at home.
  
• Education and training for the patient and “support” person with an evaluation of their home or discharge environment.
  
• Physical therapy sessions twice daily with Occupation therapy visits. Specific nursing duties are assigned each day.
  
• A daily newsletter delivered to the room each morning for patients which highlight the event of the day and offer advice and tips about the recovery process.
  
• A coordinator for the Joints in Motion program, who provides educational classes before surgery, follows the patient’s progress during their hospital stay, and is available for any questions or concerns before or after discharge.
  

Who Can Attend?

Anyone in the community is welcome to attend.  For patient’s scheduled for joint replacement surgery, we recommend you and your “support” person attend a class at least one to two weeks prior to the day of your surgery.

When and Where is the Class Offered?

Classes are held twice a week in the Joints In Motion classroom located on the 4th floor of the North Patient Tower (N4G) at NGMC.  Please contact the Joints in Motion Coordinator, Mon. – Fri., at 770-219-5257 to schedule a class.