L
iving with chronic joint pain caused by arthritis, injury,
overuse or other conditions can be challenging and often
limiting.When one’s ability to move becomes compromised,
many of the enjoyments of life can seem off-limits.
That was the case for John Patrick, who coached women’s
volleyball at Columbia Basin College for over 30 years and is
still a physical education professor at the college.
“
I’ve always been an active athlete,” he said.“I have been a
long distance runner, running marathons, an avid hunter and
hiker, including climbing Badger Mountain daily.”
Those activities, along with the constant jumping from
coaching, began to take their toll.
“
I started getting a sharp pain in my left hip, and before
long, my training partners were noticing I was limping,” he
said.“I thought it was just age creeping up.”
John was initially treated with cortisone injections,
medication and exercise.
Eventually, he said,“Dr. ( John) Staeheli asked me if the
pain was changing my quality of life. I told him I was really
inhibited by the pain.”
But, there was help. Dr. Staeheli — who has for several
years been named to the Best Doctors in America
®
list by
Best Doctors, Inc. — recommended joint replacement surgery
through Kadlec Regional Medical Center’s comprehensive
joint replacement program.
“
Deciding whether to have a joint replacement can be
difficult,” said Dr. Staeheli, who is an orthopaedic surgeon.
“
Deciding where to have it done should not be.”
Within just a few days, on August 29, John had his left hip
replaced at Kadlec.
Sophisticated surgery in skilled hands
The program at Kadlec includes physician specialists
who are highly skilled at performing hip, knee and shoulder
replacement. They are experienced in a wide range of
sophisticated surgical techniques — from mobile-bearing knee
joints to minimally invasive surgery. They are supported by
an expert team of surgical technicians, nurses and therapists.
Surgery is performed in Kadlec’s sophisticated surgical suites,
with robust scanning and other advanced technology services.
Recognized for safety
Patient safety is a critical component in any medical
procedure, and particularly so in major surgeries such as joint
replacements. Kadlec was recently honored with an “A” rating
fromThe Leapfrog Group, an independent non-profit quality-
improvement organization (see related story on page 7 of
Pacesetter
).
A leading consumer magazine also recently rated
hospitals across the country on safety and Kadlec was noted in
the article for its quality of care.
Total support, step by step
One of the advantages of joint replacement at Kadlec is
the personalized support provided every step of the way. This
Getting
back in the game
Hip pain was keeping John Patrick from doing many of the things he enjoyed. Now, just a few months
after joint replacement surgery at Kadlec, he’s back to many of those activities.
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www.kadlec.org