Joint Replacements – 225.258.5968

Total hip and knee replacements without traveling.

In the last twenty years, the number of total joint replacements in the United States increased significantly. Total hip replacements increased nearly 125% from 2000 to 2010 and in 2010 (the latest reported data from the CDC), total knee replacements were the most frequently performed inpatient procedure on adults aged 45 and over.

The National Institutes of Health outline the primary goals of joint replacement surgery. Removing damaged or diseased parts of a joint and replacing them with man-made parts, can help joints work better—reducing pain and improving the ease of movement.

Although many conditions can lead to joint replacements, the most common is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the wearing down of the protective tissue at the ends of bones which can cause joint stiffness, pain, swelling and tenderness. If you experience these symptoms persistently and they interfere with your quality of life, your primary care provider may refer you to an orthopedic physician. An orthopedic physician specializes in treating the musculoskeletal system and can determine if you may be an ideal candidate for surgery.

Advancements in healthcare have allowed patients undergoing total joint replacements to be hospitalized for less time, heal faster and report overwhelmingly positive results. After surgery, patients often report they can truly enjoy life again.

St. James Parish Hospital has invested time and resources to organize a team of top surgical, rehabilitation and nursing leaders who work together to create a quality total joint replacement program from a patient’s first visit and beyond.

From Bed to BETTER

St. James Parish Hospital is here for you every step of the way. Our radiology department is equipped to offered advanced imaging within days, not weeks. We have a growing medical staff of specialists and an experienced surgical team of registered nurses and techs. Our surgery department is managed by a registered nurse and is consistently acclaimed by both surgeons and patients for quality and compassion.

Following surgery, our inpatients have access to private rooms, a low nurse-to-patient ratio and a multidisciplinary team focused on not only helping you heal, but also preparing you for home and therapy.

Our therapy department offers access to both occupational and physical therapists. Our therapists will lead joint replacement classes before surgeries and offer “prehab” for patients who physicians believe may benefit from therapy to strengthen certain muscles before a procedure.

In addition, we are proud to have a Director of Orthopedic Rehab to lead our Orthopedic Rehab Program and manage the specialized care of orthopedic patients post-surgery. Physical rehab following a joint replacement is extremely important to how well you heal and some patients may begin moving the same day of surgery.

Local Ortho Offerings

• Experienced Orthopedic Surgeon
• Skilled Surgical Team
• Top-in-Class Patient Satisfaction
• Faster Imaging (X-Ray, MRI)
• Pre-testing & blood work
• Prehab (Rehab/therapy before surgery to improve recovery)
• Joint Replacement Classes/Crutch Training
• Accredited Skilled Nursing Program (for patients requiring a higher level of inpatient therapy before returning home)
• Orthopedic Rehab Program (Physical Therapy + Occupational Therapy)
• Therapy for Osteoarthritis (if you are not ready for surgery, a PT plan can help manage pain)

About Our Orthos

We are consistently working to recruit quality orthopedic physicians to provide local services. Dr. William Johnson currently performs orthopedic procedures and total joint replacements at St. James Parish Hospital.

Dr. Johnson is with OrthoLA, a multi-location orthopedic center focusing on a wide range of conditions and injuries. Dr. Johnson has helped patients throughout the River Parishes since 1996. His experience, knowledge and first-rate patient care, have been a wonderful asset to our community. Dr. Johnson specializes in treating individuals and athletes with musculoskeletal injuries. He attended Loyola University and Louisiana State University Medical School. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and Internal Medicine. He is a member of the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, the Louisiana Orthopedic Association and the Greater New Orleans Orthopedic Society. He is also the Medical Director at South Lake Surgery Center and serves as the team doctor for Destrehan High School. Dr. Johnson currently sees patients in Laplace.