The Advanced Orthopaedic Center and University Orthopaedic Surgeons are dedicated to providing quality, safe, and patient centered care through a comprehensive range of orthopaedic services. UT Medical Center is the region’s only Level I Trauma Center. We care for a wide range of orthopaedic injuries from minor fractures to the most complex orthopedic injuries. We also manage and treat orthopaedic problems of the shoulder, elbow, hands, hips, knees, ankle, and feet. Our multidisciplinary team delivers exceptional care by utilizing the most advanced skills, interventions and treatments in East Tennessee.
The Advanced Orthopaedic Center and University Orthopaedic Surgeons have dedicated 6 operating rooms and surgical staff to exclusively treat our orthopaedic surgical patients 24/7.
Joint Replacement Center
The Joint Replacement Center is a 30-bed unit. Our specialty is caring for patients with total hip, knee, and shoulder replacements. We consider our unit a “well unit” meaning all of our patients elect to be here and are not “sick.” Our joint patients’ length of stay is 2-3 days. Although we consider all of our patients to be “well,” some do have chronic medical issues that need attention. In this case, internal medicine doctors are consulted.
We have a very involved multidisciplinary team including physicians, registered nurses, certified nursing assistant, health unit coordinators, physical therapists, case management, and occupational therapists. Our joint replacement patients have an extensive physical therapy program. There are two physical therapy sessions each day. In the morning patients work with therapists during an individual session and in the afternoon, patients are brought together in our joint zone for a group therapy session.
We are grateful to be a part of these patients’ healing process after surgery. We hope to touch our patient’s lives and help them on the road to a better more functional life.
Orthopedic Trauma
Orthopedic Trauma is a 30-bed specialized inpatient unit located on the ninth floor in the east tower. We focus on providing high-quality care for both our local and regional complex trauma patients. Our multidisciplinary team consists of:
- Registered nurses
- Nurse technicians
- Health unit coordinators
- Exercise physiologists
- Pharmacists
- Case managers
- Respiratory therapists
- Rehab services
The patients we care for have been involved in a wide range of acute traumatic accidents such as:
- Motor vehicle or motorcycle crashes
- Gunshot or knife stab wounds
- Traumatic amputations
- Falls
- ATV rollovers
- Head injuries
- Burns
- Osteomyelitis
Some patients stay with us for two or three days while others may have longer length of stay depending on their resources and care needs. We also remain aware of the emotional aspect resulting from a traumatic experience and provide our patients and their families with the support they need.
Our nurses are trained to care for our high-acuity orthopedic trauma patient population through an individualized orientation with a preceptor. This ensures our patients receive the best care and provides our nurses with ample opportunities to learn.
