By John D. Begin
More than 10 years of working upright on concrete floors at a coffee shop took a toll on Carol Glidden’s knees.
Glidden, 51, of Waterville, learned to live with the pain until it eventually became too much. That’s when she decided to have two total knee replacement surgeries last fall at MaineGeneral’s Alfond Center for Health in Augusta. That decision has brought incredible relief.
“My previous job was hard because I was constantly on my feet during an entire eight-hour shift. At times I’d have to sit down to give my knees a break,” she said. “Now my knees don’t hurt, and when I walk around, it feels good! I’m so glad I had the surgery!”
Casual walking is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Glidden’s plans to return to a more active lifestyle. She would also like to go camping this summer, an activity she really enjoys.
Both of Glidden’s surgeries were done by David Wexler, M.D., FRCS, one of several MaineGeneral orthopaedic surgeons offering patients the opportunity to return home — just hours after surgery — if they can do so safely and have good support at home.
Glidden said she was glad to have that option.
“When they said I could go home the same day, I was surprised but also happy,” she said. “I’d recommend this to anyone.”
A quicker return home
When Cathy Bourque started as a physical therapist 28 years ago, total joint replacement patients spent up to two weeks in the hospital after surgery.
By comparison, the new collaborative effort between MaineGeneral Orthopaedics, anesthesiology staff, PACU/Day Surgery, home health and outpatient therapy has many of these patients returning home the same day — with great results.
“To think total joint replacement patients can now go home the same day is just amazing,” said Bourque, chief practice officer at MaineGeneral, “and they’re doing wonderfully.”
Plans to offer outpatient total joint surgery started more than two years ago when Wexler and Jenee Wechsler, ACNP, who assists him in the operating room and provides pre- and post-operative patient care, attended a conference and learned what was needed to make it work.
They and other MaineGeneral Orthopaedics surgeons and staff did some preliminary work but developed the program fully last spring when COVID-19 halted elective surgeries for a period of time.
Wechsler said her past PACU/Day Surgery nursing experience was extremely helpful in identifying the elements and players needed to make the program successful.
“I had a very good understanding of how things flowed, which helped me put things together,” she said.
Wexler and Mike Rodger, M.D., FRCS have really championed the effort. Colleagues Stuart Aitken, M.D., FRCS, and Marc Golden, D.O., also have done same-day cases since June.
Patient benefits and response
Wexler said there are many benefits for patients who have outpatient joint replacement surgery.
“The biggest is that there’s no place like home,” he said. “There’s less risk of infection, they can sleep in their own beds and stay with their families, and we’re fortunate that if a patient has to stay at the hospital longer, it’s an option for them.”
Wechsler says the overwhelming response they’ve received has been very positive.
“Patients are very happy to go home, and they’re surprised at how well they do,” Wechsler said. “This is very exciting for patients and also very exciting to be part of.”
Learn about same-day total joint replacement at a free event Wednesday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Augusta Civic Center. Drs. Aitken, Rodger and Wexler will explain the surgery and answer questions.
To learn more about same-day total joint replacement, please call (207) 621-8700 or 207-873-8100, or visit www.mainegeneral.org/ortho where you can see helpful videos about the procedure.
— John D. Begin is a communications specialist in MaineGeneral Health’s Marketing and Communications Department.
