Introduction

Prosthetic replacement surgery can be a life - changing procedure for many individuals dealing with joint problems or limb loss. Whether it's a hip, knee, or other prosthetic replacement, choosing the right hospital is crucial for a successful outcome. In Albany, several hospitals and clinics stand out for their expertise, technology, and patient - centered care in prosthetic replacement surgeries. This article will explore some of the top facilities in Albany for prosthetic replacement surgeries and what makes them excellent choices.

1. Albany Medical Center

Overview

Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY is highly regarded, especially for hip replacement surgery. It has been evaluated among over 6,000 hospitals in relevant rankings by US News Best Hospitals. The hospital's overall hip replacement score earned it a “high - performing” rating, which means it is significantly better than the national average.

Quality Indicators

• Survival: The relative survival 30 days after undergoing hip - replacement, when compared to other hospitals treating similar patients, is rated as average. This indicates that the short - term survival rate for hip replacement patients at Albany Medical Center is in line with the norm for comparable cases.
• Prevention of Prolonged Hospitalizations: The hospital excels in preventing unusually long stays. Since longer hospitalizations may lead to or result from complications, this excellent rating shows the hospital's efficiency in patient care and recovery management.
• Prevention of Revision Surgery: The ability to prevent the need for a second operation to remove or replace an implanted joint within a year of a patient’s initial surgery is rated as average. However, considering the overall high - performing rating, the hospital still maintains a good standard in this regard.
• Infection Prevention: The prevention of surgical infections in hip - replacement patients is also rated as average, which is important for ensuring a smooth recovery process.
• Number of Patients: The relative volume of Medicare patients age 65 and over who had hip - replacement in both inpatient and outpatient settings over five years is rated as very high. Higher volume is associated with better outcomes, as it indicates the hospital's experience and proficiency in handling hip replacement cases.

Other Considerations

• Patient Experience: The opinions of surveyed inpatients about the overall quality of their stay are rated as poor. This is an area where the hospital could potentially improve to enhance the overall patient - centered care experience.
• Nurse Staffing: A very high rating for nurse staffing means that more nursing care per patient is available, which is associated with better outcomes and a better patient experience.
• Board Certified Physicians: With 95% - 100% of operations performed by physicians who are board certified in orthopedics, the hospital has a high - level of expertise in the specialty.
• ICU Specialists: The hospital has at least one adult intensive - care unit staffed by a doctor specifically certified or trained to care for ICU patients, which is crucial for handling any potential complications.

2. St. Peter’s Health Partners

Hip Replacement Surgery

St. Peter’s Health Partners is an excellent choice for hip replacement surgery. Their orthopedic experts and hospital - based team maintain high care standards, which helps more patients achieve excellent results. Many patients can even go home the same day and get back to their usual activities within a few weeks.

Why Choose St. Peter’s for Hip Replacement

• Expertise: A highly skilled orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip replacement surgery performs the procedures. They use the latest joint replacement devices made of durable materials and tailor the procedure to meet the patient's needs. Patients can find a suitable doctor through their doctor - finding service.
• High - quality Care: The hospital holds itself to the highest care standards. Surgeons work with knowledgeable operating room staff, nurses, and therapists to manage every detail of the procedure and recovery. Their attention to patient needs helps maintain extremely low complication rates and good results.
• Advanced Surgical Options: They perform complex revision surgeries to repair or replace artificial joints that aren’t working properly. Their expertise also includes joint replacements in people with bone issues requiring special implants.
• Same - day Discharge for Total Hip Replacement: Many patients are eligible to go home the day of surgery if they do not have other medical conditions and can follow post - surgery care instructions. They also have an enhanced recovery program for joint replacement.

Hip Replacement Surgery Process

1. Evaluation: The team listens carefully to how hip pain affects the patient's daily life. They review x - rays, explain the risks and benefits of total hip replacement surgery, and describe what recovery looks like. Then they determine if now is the right time for surgery.
2. Non - surgical Therapies: Some patients may delay or avoid a joint replacement using non - surgical techniques. Recommendations may include lifestyle modifications and pain medications or injections.
3. Pre - surgical Planning: Digital imaging technology is used to create a 3D template of the hip to ensure the patient receives a replacement joint of the appropriate size. The template is also used to customize hip devices for people with misshapen bones.
4. Joint Replacement Surgery: Surgeons remove the damaged joint and cartilage and replace it with the latest artificial devices made of metal and durable plastic. The artificial joint grows into the bone for a natural, lasting fit.
5. Recovery: Eligible patients can get out of bed shortly after surgery. After physical therapy and monitoring, they go home. Non - eligible patients go home the next day. A nurse follows up after the patient gets home, and personalized care is provided through follow - up appointments.

Knee Replacement Surgery

St. Peter’s Health Partners is also one of the capital region’s leading programs for knee replacement surgery. They offer same - day discharge for many patients, and their commitment to joint replacement excellence increases the likelihood of pain - free living for years to come.

Why Choose St. Peter’s for Knee Replacement

• Expertise: Experienced orthopedists specializing in knee replacement surgery deliver care. They make the smallest necessary incision, enabling patients to get moving after surgery. The surgeons perform a high number of knee replacements, safely treating adults of any age and complex cases.
• Outstanding Quality: The program has extremely low complication and hospital readmission rates. They are continuously working to lower them further. They also perform complex procedures like partial knee replacement that are not widely available.
• Precise Care: A 3D template of the unique features of the knee is created to determine the size and type of replacement joint. Custom implants for abnormally shaped bones are available, which is an option only in leading centers.
• Same - day Discharge: Most patients go home the day of surgery. Nurses and therapists work closely to start post - surgical therapies, ensure patient comfort, and prepare for discharge.

Knee Replacement Surgery Process

1. Evaluation: The team listens to the patient's knee pain description, reviews previous treatments and responses. The surgeon reviews x - rays and determines the appropriate procedure and recovery plan.
2. Non - surgical Therapies: Some patients may delay or avoid joint replacement surgery through non - surgical therapies such as wearing supportive shoes and taking medications or injections to reduce joint swelling.
3. Knee Replacement Surgery: Specialists remove the damaged joint and cartilage and replace it with artificial devices. For partial knee replacement, only the damaged sections are treated.
4. Recovery: Eligible patients start moving as soon as it is safe. Overnight patients receive careful attention. A nurse calls the day after surgery, and patients see the surgeon two weeks after the procedure. Physical and occupational therapy may be needed.

3. Hanger Clinic

Hanger Clinic is the nation’s leading provider of orthotic and prosthetic care. With nearly 160 years of experience, they bring the best in prosthetic and orthotic care to Albany, NY.

Services and Expertise

• Advanced Care: Their dedication and expertise can help patients regain their independence and pursue the activities they love. They are committed to bringing the latest in innovative orthotic and prosthetic technologies, specialized training, and superior care.
• Care Team: The clinic has a team of experienced clinicians, including Anthony Masseur, CP; Brittany Dymes, MSPO, CPO; Leslie Cass, CO; and Morgan Bush, CPO, who provide personalized care to patients.
• Patient - centered Approach: They offer a free evaluation, and patients are required to bring a photo ID, insurance card, and the relevant orthotic or prosthetic device if it needs adjustment. New patients or those with changed information are encouraged to complete patient registration forms in advance.

Locations in Albany

There are multiple locations in Albany. One is at 1315 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12205, with a phone number of (518) 435 - 0840 and fax (518) 435 - 0910. The other is at 178 Washington Ave, Ste 102, Albany, NY 12210, with a phone number of (518) 374 - 6011.

4. OrthoNY, Orthopedic Care

Robotic Unicondylar Knee Replacement

OrthoNY specializes in robotic unicondylar knee replacement in Albany, Malta, Clifton Park, Delmar, and Latham, NY. This minimally invasive procedure is designed to relieve pain and improve the function of the knee joint for patients with osteoarthritis.

Procedure Details

• Indications: The surgery is recommended for patients with osteoarthritis - related knee pain and disability that do not respond well to conservative treatments. Early or mid - stage osteoarthritis involving just one compartment of the knee may be treated by unicondylar knee replacement.
• Surgical Procedure: The procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis, though a 1 - 3 day stay may be required. Preoperative CT imaging is used to create a virtual 3 - dimensional model of the knee. The information is fed into the robotic system, which helps the doctor choose an appropriate implant and design a surgical plan. The robotic arm is inserted through a 4 - to 6 - inch incision over the knee, and the system provides visual, audio, and tactile feedback during the procedure.
• Postoperative Care: Patients may leave the hospital on the same day if they have recovered well. Recovery is generally quick, and physical therapy may be recommended. Maintaining a healthy weight is also advised to minimize stress on the joint.
• Benefits: Advantages include a small incision, less tissue injury, less bone removal, better implant positioning, shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery, a more natural feel to the knee, and the option of a total knee replacement later if needed.
• Risks and Complications: As with any procedure, there are risks such as infection, blood clots, nerve or blood vessel injury, implant loosening or fracture.

5. Columbia Memorial Health

Mako Robotic Surgical System

Columbia Memorial Health was the first hospital in the capital region to adopt the mako robotic surgical system in 2017 for joint replacement technology. This system allows specially trained surgeons to improve the geometric accuracy of joint replacements.

Benefits of the Mako System

• Accuracy: The mako system uses 3 - dimensional images of the patient’s knee or hip and guides and stabilizes surgical tools according to the surgeon’s plan. This results in more perfectly aligned joints that perform better, feel better, and should last longer.
• Patient - specific Optimization: Every person’s anatomy is unique, and the mako system allows for the implantation of joint replacements that are uniquely optimized to match the individual patient’s anatomy.
• Experienced Surgeons: Doctors Christopher Gorczynski and Louis DiGiovanni have been using mako for over three years and have successfully completed hundreds of knee and hip replacement surgeries. Their experience gives patients a considerable advantage.
• Patient Outcomes: Patients can expect quicker recovery times, a more natural feeling joint, and a better quality of life. The hospital's orthopaedic team safely conducts numerous joint replacement and other orthopaedic procedures during the pandemic, producing life - changing results for patients.

Comparison of Hospitals

Conclusion

In Albany, patients have several excellent options for prosthetic replacement surgeries. Albany Medical Center shines in hip replacement with its high - performing rating and large volume of cases. St. Peter’s Health Partners offers comprehensive and high - quality care for both hip and knee replacements, with a focus on low complication rates and same - day discharge. Hanger Clinic provides specialized orthotic and prosthetic care with a long - standing reputation for excellence. OrthoNY offers a cutting - edge robotic unicondylar knee replacement procedure, and Columbia Memorial Health leads with its early adoption of the mako robotic surgical system for joint replacements.

If you are considering prosthetic replacement surgery, it is recommended to consult with multiple hospitals, discuss your specific needs and concerns with their medical teams, and review patient testimonials and success stories. By making an informed decision, you can increase your chances of a successful surgery and a better quality of life. Feel free to share this article with others who may be in need of information about prosthetic replacement surgeries in Albany, and explore related topics such as recovery tips and post - operative care.