Joint Camp Returns to Brookings Health

  • December 20, 2021

Total knee replacement patient Cindy Jensen works on physical therapy at her home with Rehabilitative Services Director Gavin Weber. Preparing for physical and occupational therapy is one of the topics covered at Joint Camp, a free, 60-minute educational session for people who are considering total knee or hip joint replacements. Brookings Health is restarting group sessions for Joint Camp in 2022, helping patients to have the best possible outcome from their Mako robotic-arm assisted joint replacement.
Total knee replacement patient Cindy Jensen works on physical therapy at her home with Rehabilitative Services Director Gavin Weber. Preparing for physical and occupational therapy is one of the topics covered at Joint Camp, a free, 60-minute educational session for people who are considering total knee or hip joint replacements. Brookings Health is restarting group sessions for Joint Camp in 2022, helping patients to have the best possible outcome from their Mako robotic-arm assisted joint replacement.

Brookings Health System is bringing back Joint Camp group sessions in 2022.

Joint Camp is a free, 60-minute educational session for individuals in the community who are having, or are thinking about, knee or hip joint replacements. Starting in January sessions will be held the third Tuesday of every month from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Brookings Hospital, Conference Room A.

Joint Camp introduces patients to team members, services and steps they can take to have the best outcome possible from their joint replacement and successfully return to their activities of daily living. The camp focuses on Mako robotic-arm assisted joint replacements for the hip or knee.

“At Joint Camp we aim to answer any questions patients, or potential patients, may have before their joint replacement. We want to get them in the mindset of what it will take on their part to have a successful procedure,” said Director of Surgical Services Terri Stauffacher, RN. “Statistics show that preparing for joint replacement helps speed-up patient recovery and increases a patient’s satisfaction with a new joint.”

Joint Camp is presented by team members who regularly assist patients on their joint journey, including nurses and therapists. Topics covered include an explanation of joint pain, physical and occupational therapy preparation, how to prepare the home for safety, what to bring with to the hospital and what to expect the day of surgery. In addition, patients will learn about available services to help them plan for recovery and going home, including swing bed, short-term rehabilitation, home health and outpatient therapy.

Patients are also encouraged to bring along a support person to Joint Camp. The support person will work with the patient to learn therapeutic exercises and expectations for post-surgical care.

“People who have joint replacement surgery have several restrictions, including driving and heavy lifting,” said Stauffacher. “The support person should plan on helping with those restrictions as well as any other needs the patient has during recovery.”

After attending Joint Camp, patients will have the necessary tools and understanding for a successful joint replacement surgery. Individuals interested in attending Joint Camp may register for an upcoming session online at brookingshealth.org/JointCamp or by calling (605) 696-9000.

Brookings Health System offers local, complete orthopedic care with leading-edge technology and procedures. Orthopedic services help patients at any age reduce pain, improve function and maximize quality of life. From emergency services to surgical care to therapy, Brookings Health tailors high-quality orthopedic care to patients’ unique needs. More information may be found online at brookingshealth.org/Orthopedics. 

About Brookings Health System

Brookings Health System, located in Brookings, South Dakota, includes a 49-bed hospital, the 79-bed The Neighborhoods at Brookview nursing home, Brookhaven Estates senior living apartments, Yorkshire Eye Clinic & Optical, and medical clinics in Arlington, White and Volga, South Dakota. It is a non-profit, city-owned facility that offers the community a full range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency and extended care services. Brookings Hospital provides local access to doctors in Brookings and offers robotic da Vinci surgery and Mako robotic-arm assisted procedures, making it one of the premier rural community hospitals in South Dakota. For more information about the services offered at Brookings Health System, please call (605) 696-9000 or visit us on the Web at brookingshealth.org.