Roles of the Orthopaedic Center Team

The collaborative team approach at the LG Health Orthopaedic Center is designed to give you an exceptional experience and faster recovery, so you can get back to living your life. 

Meet Your Team

• You: The most important member of your health-care team.
• Your coach: A family member or friend who assists you in all aspects of your surgery experience. 
• Orthopaedic surgeon: Performs your surgery and directs your care. Guides your rehabilitation and follow-up office visits.
• Physician assistant (PA): Assists your orthopaedic surgeon with care before, during and after your surgery. Can prescribe, diagnose, and treat healthcare problems.
• Home assessment nurse: A nurse will review the joint replacement handbook with you and your coach prior to surgery. They can discuss your home during a phone call and make suggestions to make your home more safe after surgery.
• Anesthesiologist/certified registered nurse anesthetist: Responsible for your anesthesia (putting you to sleep or numbing your lower extremities). Also helps with pain management issues before and after surgery.
• Registered nurse (RN): A professional nurse responsible for your care throughout your hospital stay. RNs are present in the pre-operative area, the operating rooms, post anesthesia care units, and on the orthopaedic floor.
• Patient care assistant (PtCA): Assists the nurses with your care during your hospital stay.
• Case manager/resource staff: The case manager (RN) and resource staff work closely with the orthopaedic team to guide you and your coach through the discharge process, addressing insurance questions, therapy follow up, and obtaining medical equipment.
• Physical therapist (PT): Plans your physical rehabilitation, helping you regain your range of motion, muscle strength, and balance for walking. Teaches you how to use assistive devices (walker, cane, crutches) if needed.
• Physical therapy assistant (PTA): Assists with your physical therapy program under the direction of the physical therapist.
• Occupational therapist (OT): Checks your ability to complete activities of daily living after surgery, providing adaptive equipment for bathing and dressing as needed. Also works with you and your coach to make sure your home is safe for recovery.