At University Hospitals TriPoint Medical Center, it’s all about helping people overcome joint pain and avoid surgery

By Laura Briedis

Babies are born with approximately 300 bones, but that decreases to 206 bones by adulthood as some bones fuse together. Though the number of bones decreases as we age, problems increase—giving rise to the field of orthopedics.

More than just healing fractured bones, orthopedics has evolved over the centuries to include total joint replacements, as well as ligament and tendon repairs.

At University Hospitals TriPoint Medical Center, orthopedic specialists offer advanced surgical and nonsurgical orthopedic care from neck to toe, with specialties in the spine, shoulder and elbow, hand, hip and knee, and foot and ankle.

“We are committed to expanding orthopedics services in Lake County and providing patients with advanced care close to home,” says Benjamin Silver, MD, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in total joint replacement and comprehensive arthritis care at UH TriPoint Medical Center. “We are offering leading-edge joint replacement right in your neighborhood, so you don’t have to travel to the downtown campus.”

It’s all about convenience. The hospital is close to home. Procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. Follow-up care is available in the comfort of your home.

Long gone are the days patients would lay in hospital beds for days after joint replacement surgery, as the majority of patients having knee and hip replacements nowadays can go home the same day. “This is becoming the standard for joint replacement,” says Dr. Silver, noting that he has done hip and knee replacements for patients ranging in age from 31 to 91. “The field in general is moving in the direction of rapid recovery as it improves outcomes.”

“The goal for every joint replacement surgery is to help patients return to function and to improve quality of life—and the faster, the better,” he says. “Our goal is to have patients up and walking within hours after the anesthesia wears off and to be able to safely go home, often the same day as the surgery.”

“Improved multimodal pain control protocols, including medicines given before surgery, during surgery and after surgery, reduce the need for opioid medications and thereby reduce side effects,” he explains. “This lessens the patient’s pain and allows for early, rapid rehabilitation.”

After surgery, patients can rehab in the comfort of their own home with the help of UH Home Care therapists for the initial phase of rehabilitation. Then once patients are strong enough to get out, they can go to one of the UH outpatient rehab centers to continue physical therapy.

The University Hospitals multidisciplinary team of experts works with each patient to develop an individualized treatment plan for orthopedic care and to try every appropriate treatment option before considering surgery.

“If your pain is interfering with your day-to-day function or limiting activities you like to do, you should come in to get evaluated,” Dr. Silver says. “For many people, we can offer nonsurgical care right in the office that will alleviate pain and improve function using medications, physical therapy, assistive devices such as braces, canes and walkers, and injections.”

University Hospitals TriPoint Medical Center is located at 7590 Auburn Road in Concord Township. Learn more at UHHospitals.org/locations/university-hospitals-tripoint-medical-center, or make an appointment by calling 440-941-4972.

Do You Have Hip or Knee Pain?
University Hospitals offers comprehensive care for those suffering from joint pain. Its orthopedics department provides conservative treatments including anti-inflammatory medicines, injections, bracing and physical therapy, as surgery is not always required.

However, if you notice any of these symptoms below, it may be time to consult with an orthopedic surgeon:

• Persistent pain in your knees and hips.

• Stiffness in your joints that causes discomfort.

• Pain during rainy or humid weather.

• Difficulty walking or climbing stairs.

• Discomfort from a previous injury.

Call 440-941-4972 to learn more about treatment options.