Joint Replacement

Successful recovery after surgery can help patients heal faster and get back to their everyday activities quickly following a surgical procedure. Our approach, called Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS), begins by using a mixture of non-narcotic local and general anesthesia to reduce pain and circumvents many of the narcotic effects and discomfort patients feel after a procedure.

This approach to anesthesia avoids the previously used nerve blocks which would affect the muscles as well as the nerves. The fact that the muscles are not affected permits walking within hours after the procedure. The general anesthetic is so light it avoids nausea, vomiting, dizziness and feeling disoriented, so patients are awake when they leave the operating room. That allows them to safely get up and walk. Expert physicians in anesthesia and palliative care offer a variety of approaches to treating each individual patient’s pain.

Through standardized education before surgery, the patient learns about what to do in preparation for the surgery including pre-op hydration, eating carbs and understanding how their pain will be managed.

With ERAS, our patients benefit from faster recovery, fewer complications from anesthesia and surgery and less time in the hospital.

The Bridgeport Hospital Milford Campus offers a range of surgical and non-surgical therapies for patients suffering from painful or degenerative conditions of the muscle, bone and joints including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic injuries.

Patients requiring surgical intervention can expect compassionate coordinated care, innovative technology and integrated services. Led by a team of board-certified orthopedic specialists, the interdisciplinary care team at Bridgeport Hospital’s Milford Campus includes anesthesiologists, nurses, technicians, rehabilitation therapists and care coordinators focused on the full continuum of joint replacement and orthopedic care.

In addition to leading orthopedic specialists and experienced care providers, the Milford Campus is the only hospital in Greater New Haven to offer Mako^® Robotic Arm Assisted joint-replacement surgery. This cutting-edge technology allows surgeons to provide each patient with a personalized surgical experience based on their specific diagnosis and personal anatomy.

Pre-operative joint replacement classes are offered to patients and their family and provide information on what to expect before, during and after joint replacement procedures. Patients also have the opportunity to meet with different members of their healthcare team as well as schedule pre-operative testing and diagnostic imaging.

Typically, joint replacement patients can expect a 1 to 2 day post-operative stay in a private room within our facility. Some patients may need additional care and support during their recovery. Care coordinators assist patients in planning for their post-discharge needs from acquiring equipment to exploring rehabilitation services.

*Mako^® is a trademark of Stryker Corporation.

Our surgeons are equipped with state-of-the art tools to perform minimally invasive joint replacement procedures tailored for each patient. Advanced medical imaging and robotic-arm technologies enable surgeons to use their expertise with more accuracy and precision.

Before surgery, advanced imaging is used to evaluate each patient’s unique anatomy and condition to determine the optimal size, placement and alignment of the implant. The surgeon uses information formatted for the robotic computer during surgery to guide the robotic arm to precisely position surgical instruments for incisions, to prepare the bone and to place the implant. This accuracy helps spare healthy bone and tissue while removing diseased and problematic bone and tissue.

With robotic-arm assisted surgery, there are smaller incisions, more precise implants and increased conservation of healthy tissue. For our patients, that means less time in the hospital after surgery, minimal scarring and a faster recovery.

Surgery with advanced Mako^® SmartRobotics

At the Joint Replacement Center on the Milford Campus, surgeons use the advanced Mako^® robotic-arm system for knee and hip replacements. Using information from a CT scan, the Mako system creates a 3D virtual model of the patient’s bone structure, severity of disease, joint alignment and surrounding bone and tissue. The system guides the surgeon within a highly precise pre-defined area for more accurate placement and alignment of the implant.

*Mako^® is a trademark of Stryker Corporation.