Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/657427
With 22 grandchildren, nine children, a full-time job and an exciting retirement to plan, Karen Jackson-Gross didn't have time to devote to chronic pain in her left leg. Last September, she took action by having a total knee replacement at Inspira Medical Center Elmer, which recently received a Women's Choice "America's Best Hospital for Orthopedics" Award. "I was in excruciating pain for about five years, and I couldn't do the things that I loved and needed to do," Karen said. "I wanted a better quality of life." John Catalano, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon with Inspira Medical Center Elmer, performed Karen's surgery, transforming her life almost immediately. As part of Inspira's advanced pain management protocol, Karen received local anesthesia containing the anti-inflammatory pain reliever celecoxib instead of large amounts of opioid medication during surgery. This pain protocol benefits patients post-operatively by decreasing pain, improving quality of sleep, speeding recovery and increasing range of motion. "I felt great the day I woke up from surgery," Karen said. "Now, there's no day that I don't feel great, and I don't have to use much pain medication." Karen also credits the prehabilitation training she received from Dr. Catalano, who taught her presurgery exercises to strengthen the muscles around her knee, with helping her take proper care of herself in the weeks and months following her surgery. She now participates in physical therapy three times each week. "The hospital was exceptional," Karen said. "They had nothing but my best interests in mind both going in and going home. I felt so welcome." VISIT www.InspiraHealthNetwork.org/Orthopedics TO LEARN HOW INSPIRA HEALTH NETWORK'S ORTHOPEDIC SPECIALISTS IN ELMER, VINELAND AND WOODBURY CAN HELP YOU. Award-Winning Care for Women Committed to delivering the highest quality of care, Inspira Medical Center Elmer goes the extra mile for women of South Jersey. BACK in ACTION Karen Jackson-Gross having a girls' day with three of her granddaughters. An Image of EXCELLENCE In addition to the superior orthopedic care available at Inspira Medical Center Elmer, Inspira Health Network's Frank and Edith Scarpa Regional Cancer Pavilion offers women a full range of breast imaging and diagnostic services as well as state-of-the-art breast cancer care. These exceptional services were recognized recently with reaccreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, an acknowledgement of the center's high-quality care, multidisciplinary approach, and innovative clinical trials and treatment options. Hospitals with this accreditation have a reputation of excellence and reliability that patients can trust. The American College of Radiology has also accredited Inspira Medical Center Vineland as a "Breast Imaging Center of Excellence" for its exceptional mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast biopsy services. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE INSPIRA WOMEN'S HEALTH SERVICES AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT SOUTH JERSEY AT www.InspiraHealthNetwork.org/ Womens-Services. Leaders in Orthopedic Care The orthopedic services at Inspira Medical Center Elmer are valued far beyond Salem County. U.S. News & World Report ranked the hospital as a High Performance Hospital in knee replacement surgery, which is one of themostcommon orthopedic surgeries performed nationwide. Spring 2016 3 Inspira Health Network Family & Friends + You