Hendrick Health’s Joint Venture program details what to expect with knee or hip replacement surgery

Before undergoing knee or hip replacement surgery, knowing what to expect can be helpful in preparing for the procedure and during recovery.

Hendrick Health offers the free educational program Joint Venture for individuals scheduled for knee or hip replacement surgery and their caregivers. The goal is to educate attendees about the joint replacement journey and to empower them on how to be active participants in their care.

“Joint Venture topics include how to prepare for surgery, what occurs the day of surgery and the multidisciplinary team approach to help patients recover,” said Lisa Moeller, a nurse navigator who teaches the class. “We also teach attendees pain management techniques to help them have a more beneficial recovery.”

Numerous clinical research studies indicate preoperative education programs for joint replacement patients can contribute to decreased anxiety and postoperative pain, shorter hospitalizations and improved patient expectations about recovery and outcomes.

For the convenience of patients, Joint Venture is now offered at Hendrick Medical Center South in south Abilene. The program continues to be hosted at Hendrick Medical Center in north Abilene and Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood in Brownwood. Patients scheduled for surgery are contacted about attending the next available Joint Venture session.

To learn more about Hendrick Health’s orthopedic services, visit hendrickhealth.org.