Patients considering or expecting to undergo total joint surgery in the near future should feel confident about the procedure despite the pandemic. ORA Orthopedics Total Joint Surgeon, Dr. Ryan Pokorney, along with the entire team of total joint surgeons at ORA, is assuring patients that the practice has continued to successfully perform the surgeries at both Quad City hospitals and at ORA Surgery Center, Bettendorf.
“Our patients continue to be treated safely and effectively right through physical therapy,” says Dr. Pokorney. “ORA complies with all CDC guidelines regarding masking, social distancing, and each surgical patient takes a COVID test to ensure they are negative, healthy, and not contagious.” The ORA physical therapy clinics also employ the same rigorous COVID protocols to ensure the safety of patients.
“What drives the number of surgeries we can perform depends upon scheduling or hospital staff availability due to fluctuations in COVID-related hospitalizations,” he says. “We are in daily communication with area hospitals regarding the availability. We have not had any patients contract COVID from a total joint procedure in the hospital or at our surgery center.
“Quad City hospitals are doing an excellent job isolating COVID patients, and our patients are kept separate from those cases, so as long as there are available beds and staff, our total joint patients are not impacted.”
Dr. Pokorney adds most total joint patients are home within 24 hours, whether the procedure is performed at the hospital or as an outpatient at ORA Surgery Center. Advancements in surgical techniques and anesthesia have reduced total joint surgery operating times nearly in half to about 90 minutes or less. Overnight stays at the surgery center are now fewer than 23 hours, and better pain management also results in a more comfortable recovery.
“While not everyone is a candidate for an outpatient total joint procedure, especially if they have health concerns such cardiac history – it is a great option for patients who are concerned about going to a hospital experiencing an increase in COVID cases.” The surgery center is the only outpatient surgery center in the Quad Cities dedicated to orthopedics performing outpatient total joint surgery.
“Regardless of COVID-19, ORA has always taken a patient-centered, personal approach regarding total joint care. We make sure each patient is treated in the appropriate setting for their needs and in the safest manner possible,” adds Dr. Pokorney.
“This is a challenging time. From our patients, their families, ORA and local hospital staff, as well as physical therapists, our greatest priority is the safety of everyone involved. We will continue to keep the patient’s entire care team in the loop as COVID surges or retreats within the Quad Cities and adjust schedules accordingly.”
