Outpatient Total Joint Surgery
Thank you for choosing Missoula Bone & Joint Surgery Center for your total joint surgery. Joint replacement surgery is truly a life changing experience for most patients. After a relatively short period of time, you'll be able to re-engage in the lifestyle that's so important to you. More importantly, you'll finally feel relief from the chronic pain you've been experiencing. You can take comfort in the fact that joint replacement surgery is one of the greatest success stories in the history of medicine.
Closed captioning, CC, is activated on these videos, if you need CC please enable this feature on your viewing device (tablet, computer, iphone)
Outpatient surgery is the "gold standard" in joint replacement surgery, where by you will benefit from healing in the comfort of your own home. Our team has implemented a program that will help with pain management and support you through this experience. We believe that education and being prepared for your surgery ahead of time will enhance a positive surgical outcome. Please take the time to watch the video below and follow along with this downloaded (click on the link) Total Joint Surgery Patient Education Booklet. If needed, you can request a hardcopy of this booklet by calling (406) 829-5589.
Recovering from joint replacement surgery is a team effort. The job of "Coach" for your loved one will require you to offer support, encouragement and companionship and can make all the difference, not just at the surgery center, but especially throughout the weeks before and after the patient's surgery. We ask that you watch the video below together - patient and coach - so we are all on the same page.
Your healthcare team is happy to answer questions that aren't addressed in this video. Call your surgeons Orthopedic Assistant listed on your surgeons bio page, or call Krista K, RN Care Coordinator, at (406) 829-5589. If you have an emergent question or concern and it is after-hours please call our main clinic number answering service (406)721-4436 and the on-call Missoula Bone & Joint surgeon will return your call.
Watch this video with your coach!
This video will provide a general overview of your upcoming total joint surgery and offers details on what you and your "Coach" (your family/friend) should expect. Please keep in mind that specific treatments are unique for each patient.
Closed captioning, CC, is activated on these videos, if you need CC please enable this feature on your viewing device (tablet, computer, iphone)
Important Handouts for Total Joint Surgery
Pre-op Checklist for Joint Replacement Surgery
Post-op Checklist for Joint Replacement Surgery
Assistive Devices for After Surgery
Why Own My Own Cold Therapy Unit? - You can purchase a new unit, or you may be able to borrow a cold therapy unit from a friend or family member and just buy a new pad.
Total Knee/Hip Blank Daily Activity Flow Sheet - for you to fill out daily after your surgery
Total Hip Anterior Approach Handout
Total Hip Posterior Approach Handout
Total Hip Handout for Dr. Willstein
Total Shoulder Handout for Dr. LaPorte
Total Shoulder Handout for Dr. Price
Total Shoulder Handout for Dr. Willstein
Total Shoulder Handout for Dr. Wright
What Will The Day of Surgery Look Like For You
On the day of your surgery you will enter through the north entrance and be greeted by our reception staff, who will be available to triage any questions your coach may have during your surgery day. You and your coach will be taken to our first floor waiting area and a nurse will guide you back to the pre-op area where the nurse will prepare you for surgery. The surgeon and his team will also be checking in on you to answer any final questions. You will then be ready to go in to the surgical suite. The surgeon and his team will be prepped and ready to perform the surgery. Your surgeon or a staff member will call your coach when the surgery is complete and you will be taken to the post-op recovery area. Your coach will join you when you are in our extended recovery suite. You will be monitored closely during this recovery time. You will visit with a Therapist who will help you to walk, get in and out of a chair, and climb stairs. When you are cleared to safely return home your coach will drive around to the west exit where you and the discharge nurse will be waiting to help you transition in to your vehicle. We are available 24/7 to assist you with your recovery at home. We have found that the pre-op patient/coach education material is so beneficial that you have the confidence to relax and let your body heal.
**please note that masks are optional at our facility. If you would like our staff to wear a mask please request this.
Phone Numbers
If there is an emergency please call 911 and go to the hospital. Tell the emergency staff that you had surgery at Missoula Bone & Joint and they will contact us. Examples may include sudden chest pain, heart palpitations, difficulty breathing.
If you have an emergent question or concern and it is after-hours please call our main clinic number (406)721-4436 and the on-call Missoula Bone & Joint surgeon will return your call. Examples include a fall, numbness, tingling, or burning that persists even after elevating your leg and applying ice, thick yellow drainage or bleeding from incision site, toes that are very cold and do not get warm when you cover them, increased redness around incision, inability to do exercises.
For other non-urgent unexpected questions or concerns, call Krista K, RN Care Coordinator: (406) 829-5589
If you need a prescription or have a non-urgent question for your surgeon, call your surgeons Orthopedic Assistant listed on your surgeons bio page
Missoula Bone & Joint Surgery Center: (406)542-9695
Missoula Bone & Joint DME (durable medical equipment; cold therapy, slings, braces, crutches, walker etc.): (406) 721-4436 ext.5577
Missoula Bone & Joint Physical Therapy: (406)542-4702
Missoula Bone & Joint Physician Extender (home exercise program): (406)542-4702 ext.4270
Questions about your insurance or your MB&J bill, call our billing specialist: (406)829-5582
Questions about your anesthesia bill, call Missoula Anesthesiology: (406)728-8420
