Center for Joint Replacement

Choosing to have joint replacement surgery is a big decision that you must make with the advice and guidance of your doctor.

Where you choose to have the surgery is also important, because the success of your surgery and your recovery depend on the quality of your care. At the Hackensack University Medical Center Orthopedic Institute, we offer a joint replacement program that is tailored to meet your individual needs. But technical skills and a superb facility aren’t always enough. You also need a human touch, and that is another way we excel.

Your joint replacement journey is guided by an Orthopedic Nurse Navigator who is there to answer your questions, offer you help before, during, and after treatment, and make sure you understand what is happening. While you are in the hospital, your care will be coordinated by our Orthopedic Care Coordinator. This person is also an Advanced Practice Nurse who is dedicated to ensuring that you have the information, care, and services that you require.

At the Hackensack University Medical Center Orthopedic Institute, you will find expert surgeons, leading-edge technology, the most advanced rehabilitation services, and specially trained nurses who are dedicated to helping you get back to your life.

Why Do You Have Joint Pain?

A joint is where two bones come together, like your knee, hip, or shoulder. They are made up of many different parts. Joints are what allow you to bend, twist, stretch, and turn. Most joints are designed to only bones to move only in certain directions. Because bones are alive, they need blood to be healthy and to repair themselves. Diseases and damage inside a joint can limit blood flow and cause problems.

There are many reasons for joint pain. Joints can be damaged by arthritis, injuries, or other causes. Sometimes joints get worn away by arthritis or from years of use.  Inflammation in the structures around your joints, extra pressure on your joints from being overweight, or referred pain, where you feel pain in one place even though the problem is somewhere else in your body are other causes of joint pain.

When a joint is damaged, your doctor may recommend surgery. Sometimes the surgeon will remove the whole joint and repair or replace the damaged parts. Joint replacement surgery is performed to improve your pain and help you move more easily. Hips and knees are replaced most often. Shoulders can also be replaced. Only a specialist with advanced training can tell you if your joint needs to be replaced.

Randy earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University and has spent the past 30 years in the specialties of Operating Room Nursing and Joint Replacement Surgery.  She has held a variety of positions involving direct patient care, education and management.  She has been certified in Operating Room Nursing and was a finalist for NJ Nurse of the Year in 2013.  Randy’s focus is to help people go through surgery with the knowledge that they are personally cared for along the spectrum of their experience. Randy joined the orthopedic team at Hackensack University Medical Center in October 2014 and since that time has been dedicated solely to the joint replacement program. She has presented nationally for NAON at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting.

Samantha earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from The College of New Jersey and her Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) postgraduate degree from Rutgers University. Samantha began her nursing career at Hackensack University Medical Center as a Registered Nurse (RN) on a medical-surgical unit before transitioning into the specialty of orthopedics. Upon completing graduate school, she transitioned into the role as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) at the Orthopedic Institute. She works as a Nurse Practitioner with inpatient patients- specifically hip fracture, orthopedic spine, orthopedic trauma, and total joint replacement patients. Samantha is Orthopedic Nurse Certified (ONC) and is a member of the National Association of Orthopedic Nurses (NAON). She has presented nationally for NAON at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting.

Janine earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Duquesne University and her Masters in Nursing from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – School of Nursing. She began her nursing career as an inpatient Orthopedic staff nurse, earning her Orthopedic Nurse Certified (ONC) designation before pursing her master’s degree. Since becoming an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN), Janine has been working with Joint Replacement patients exclusively and is currently our Total Joint Care Coordinator. In addition to holding advanced degrees in Nursing, Janine is a sought after writer and lecturer on various orthopedic topics.