Mercy Hospital Live Webcast to Feature Two Surgeries - Small Incision Total Knee Replacement and Knee Arthroscopy
“Knee Pain and the Weekend Warriors”
Miami, FL (March 11, 2009) – Mercy Hospital’s Orthopaedic Institute is giving the public an up-close look at two surgical procedures to be performed simultaneously, and live via the internet.
The procedures, small incision total knee replacement and knee arthroscopy, will be performed on March 17th at 5 PM by Dr. Carlos J. Lavernia, renowned orthopaedic surgeon, Chief of Orthopaedics and Medical Director of the Orthopaedic Institute at Mercy Hospital, and Dr. J. Pieter Hommen, orthopaedic surgeon and team physician for Miami FC, South Florida’s professional soccer team.
A small incision total knee replacement involves the use of a smaller incision than the one for traditional knee replacement, and is used to treat severe degenerative disease of the knee joint. With this procedure and modern pain management techniques, patients may experience a shorter hospital stay, a faster recovery and less surgical pain.
“Our priority is our patients and their well-being,” said Dr. Lavernia. “These advanced procedures achieve the same results as the traditional surgeries, but get our patients back to living life to the fullest, quicker.”
Knee arthroscopy is a procedure which utilizes a small camera to examine damaged tissue in the knee joint. The procedure, often performed to correct problems such as a torn meniscus or torn and damaged ligaments, eliminates the need to surgically open the knee joint, resulting in fewer complications and a shorter recovery.
“By broadcasting these procedures over the internet,” adds Dr. Hommen, “we are giving the public a unique opportunity to view how we can help restore maximum range of motion for damaged knees, allowing minimal discomfort and less recovery time before resuming normal activities.”
Surgery webcasts give patients, family members and the public at-large the opportunity to observe surgical techniques they themselves may need one day. This may minimize the fear and anxiety often associated with surgery, a primary reason for patients delaying such procedures.
The Orthopaedic Institute at Mercy Hospital performs advanced surgical techniques for total joint replacements and arthroscopies of the hip, knee and shoulder. With state-of-the-art pain management protocols these procedures are less painful and patients rehabilitate faster. The medical staff is made up of board certified specialists who provide diagnostic treatment and rehabilitation services.
The combined surgeries are part of Mercy Hospital’s ongoing series of live web casts as a service to the community, and can be viewed by logging onto www.mercymiami.org.
###
About Mercy Hospital
Mercy Hospital, a recipient of the prestigious Magnet™ award for nursing excellence and HealthGrades’ Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence Award™, is Miami-Dade’s only Catholic Hospital. Established in 1950, it is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine, Florida and a member of Catholic Health East. A 473-bed acute care hospital, staffed by over 700 physicians representing 27 medical specialties, its Centers of Excellence include: The Heart Center at Mercy Hospital, the Miami Cancer Center at Mercy Hospital, the Orthopedic Institute at Mercy Hospital, and the Minimally Invasive Surgical Institute at Mercy Hospital. Mercy Hospital is located at 3663 S. Miami Avenue, Miami, FL.
For more information regarding this release please contact:
Ashley Serrate
Caroline Underwood
Kreps/DeMaria
(305) 663-3543