UH Ahuja Medical Center is leading the area in advanced joint replacement modalities

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 Ahuja Medical Center, orthopedic specialists offer advanced surgical and nonsurgical orthopedic care from neck to toe.

As UH Director of Robotic Surgery for Total Joint Replacement, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at CWRU School of Medicine, and Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Case School of Engineering, Breana Siljander, MD, is leading the charge. Uniquely qualified as both an engineer and physician, she specializes in the surgical treatment of hip and knee replacement and reconstruction. “I approach orthopedics with human compassion and apply engineering principles to solve problems and care for my patients,” says Dr. Siljander, who studied mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan before earning her medical degree at the University of Michigan Medical School.

During her fellowship at the renowned Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, Dr. Siljander treated high-level athletes and young patients needing joint replacements, looking to return to high-level sporting and recreational activities, as well as patients with a variety of joint replacement complexities. The bar for surgical excellence is higher in this population as these patients will likely stress their joint replacements more heavily.

“We have the expertise here at University Hospitals to perform joint replacement surgery for patients with active lifestyles who plan to put their joint replacement through heavy use, as well as those who just want to improve their daily function,” says Dr. Siljander, who has run 25 marathons and three Ironman Triathlons and can relate to many of her patients who don’t want to be sidelined from their activities. “Joint replacement surgery is a quality of life-restoring procedure that can help patients return to a more active and less painful way of life.”

“UH Ahuja Medical Center is one of the few hospitals with surgeons that perform direct anterior hip replacement,” she says. “The small incision is made over the front of the thigh and the approach passes between muscles, rather than cutting through muscles and tendons that may be critical for hip joint stability.”

“The direct anterior hip replacement is newer to this area. This minimally invasive, muscle-sparing approach can result in less pain and a quicker recovery in the early weeks following surgery.” The hip replacement restrictions that often come with posterior-based total hip approaches do not apply with this newer technique,” she adds.

Long gone are the days patients would lay in hospital beds for days after joint replacement surgery, as many patients having knee and hip replacements nowadays can go home the same day. “Most patients are discharged home the same day of surgery and do not require an overnight stay,” Dr. Siljander says. “Patients undergo an intensive pre-surgical optimization process in preparation for joint replacement surgery. The protocols we have in place assure quality of joint replacement care for our patients and allow more patients can start their recovery at home.”

After surgery, patients rehabilitate with the help of UH home care therapists for the initial phase of rehabilitation. Around two weeks after surgery, patients then transition to more intensive rehabilitation with UH outpatient physical therapy.

“It is important to exhaust all nonsurgical options. If and when patients are ready, we have advanced care and expertise in joint replacement surgery close to home,” Dr. Siljander says.

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.

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 or limits function.
• Difficulty walking on uneven surfaces or climbing stairs.
• Pain during rainy or humid weather.
• Discomfort from a previous injury.

Call 216-844-7200 to learn more about treatment options.

University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center is located at 3999 Richmond Road in Beachwood. For more information call 216-844-7200 or visit UHHospitals.org/Ahuja.