BROOKINGS – Brookings Health System is launching Joint Camp, a free, 60-minute educational session for individuals in our community who are having, or are thinking about, knee or hip joint replacements. Initial sessions will be held on Sept. 25, Oct. 30, Nov. 27 and Dec. 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 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 which Brookings Health added to its line of available orthopedic services this past spring.

“The goal of Joint Camp is 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 Operating Room and CSR Director Candy Johnson. “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 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.