FAQs About the Book

This book is for anyone considering the journey through hip replacement or knee replacement.

This is best answered by an excerpt from Dr. Hugate’s Introduction:

“The number of people worldwide considering joint replacement surgery is dramatically increasing. Based on 2007 statistics, the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) indicates that, for the age group 45 to 65 years old, it’s likely that the number of knee joint replacement procedures in the United States alone for the year 2011 will be over 725,000 and hip joint replacement procedures will number over 260,000. This phenomenon has to do with a number of factors. In part, it’s due to advances in medicine over the last few decades. Life expectancies continue to rise and are now well into the 70’s in most developed countries… therefore more people are “out-living their joints.” In addition, enhanced expectations about the quality of life during the average person’s retirement years continue to be higher as well. So, although people live longer, they also expect to live better—and that’s where modern joint replacement procedures can help.
Another reason that we’re seeing a vast increase in the number of joint replacements performed in the United States is that the so-called “Baby Boomer” generation is coming of age. These are the folks most likely to consider joint replacement. The most commonly accepted definition of the years which bracket the Baby Boomer generation is anybody “born between the years 1946 through 1964”. These are mostly children of military service men and women who decided to start a new family upon their return from overseas conflicts. As I write this book, this group of Americans ranges in age from about 47 to 65 years old. If you’re reading this handbook, you’re most likely a member of the Baby Boomer generation.

We also wrote this book for family members and loved ones of those considering joint replacement surgery. Big decisions, such as the decision to undergo surgery, aren’t made in a vacuum. The decision to have a joint replacement has to do with a number of factors and is fairly complex. The decision can (and does) also affect loved-ones in your life as they’re often called upon to help out physically and emotionally during recovery. Most of my patients depend on their immediate family and friends for advice and counsel regarding whether hip or knee replacement surgery is appropriate. Knowledge is power, and it is our hope that this book brings the complex subject of joint replacement into an understandable format with both the patient’s and doctor’s perspective, and allows people of all walks of life to make well-informed decisions about their medical treatment.”

The structure of our book is both chronologically and logically presented to the reader in the order most needed to create a comprehensive understanding of the primary issues and major decision points of the journey through joint replacement. There are comments when needed, identified by avatars as icons, throughout, and these are identified by a consistent font change as well. All of these combines to make the book an excellent and well organized reference.

Among the strengths of our handbook are the various perspectives we bring to the table. This handbook has two coauthors and three contributors who lend their voices, opinions, and wisdom in various places throughout.
Accordingly, we have made it very easy for you (the reader) to determine which writer is speaking. The text of this handbook is broken down into the standard text and interposed commentary from our various contributors.

In the Kindle and Paperback Versions, commentary text will be preceded by small avatars (which are postage stamp pictures) for that particular comment. Comments are ended with a tilde-asterisk-tilde (~*~) so you know when the author (of whichever comment you’re reading) is speaking.

In all versions, you will also notice that the font used in the comment text differs from that of the standard text.

This nonfiction, informational and enlightening book’s main objective is simple: to present the reader with an easy to understand resource on this complex and life changing subject matter.

Our objective is to present the information needed about hip joint replacement and knee joint replacement in an easy to read and easily understood format for the ordinary person considering hip replacement or knee replacement as a life-option in their future.

Robert also wanted to create a book to keep people from making the same mistakes he did when he chose his first surgeon. Accordingly, Dr. Hugate stepped in to help Robert make this book a positive and helpful manual.

It is unique in that it is written from the perspective of all the people typically involved throughout the hip replacement or knee replacement processes.

It is written at the average person’s’ level as an information resource concerning the journey through hip replacement and knee replacement from the points-of-view of: the orthopedic surgeon, a knee replacement patient, a hip replacement patient, the anesthetist and physical therapist. When it is required that we use technical language and/or medical jargon, these are accompanied by layman’s explanations and the jargon is deciphered. We have listened closely to our Focus Group, which triggered an extensive edit where we found matters needing further clarification.

The experiences of the two patients bring this joint replacement journey to life by framing it all in an easily read and quite enjoyable format. These professional caregivers and experienced patients have created a uniquely excellent work on this complex and often confusing subject. This book will guide the experienced, and inexperienced alike, in making all the best choices for the most excellent possible outcome, including helping their loved ones and personal caregivers on how to successfully navigate this life changing journey.

In summary, our collaborators have combined their experience, knowledge, talents, wisdom and qualifications to provide an easily understood and yet lighthearted, fun and informative look at the journey through total joint replacement. This handbook covers the technical aspects of the journey (when necessary) and—again—these are written in simple, easy to understand language.

This book is nonfiction containing medical information on the subjects of knee replacement surgery and hip replacement surgery covering approximately 99% of the facets and germane facts about these two quite complex subjects.

We also cover what these two journeys have in common and uncover and explain commonly misunderstood issues. This is a book for the ordinary person considering whether or not to have either replacement knee surgery or replacement hip surgery done and offers advice and wisdom on this often complex and confusing subject matter, no matter what path is chosen.

So, in answer to the question, “What can the reader obtain?”, the reader will obtain new knowledge and understanding of these complex issues and can choose what pieces of this knowledge they wish to fully comprehend–as such, knowledge, understanding and comprehension are to be obtained–of course!
What is the general tone of the Joint Replacement Surgery book?
The tone is both technical and non-technical, both serious and humorous (when appropriate), and is an artful, thoughtful blend created to enhance understanding and to dispel confusion for the reader.

We have covered these two topics (hip replacement or knee replacement) from the points-of-view of the patients (both hip surgery and knee surgery); physician; and professional, medical caregivers.

Robert Holland (writing as the patient who’s had a knee replacement twice) and Francine Campone (as the patient who’s had both hips replaced, bring their fresh, up-to-date and erudite perspectives about going through this journey of knee replacement surgery and hip replacement surgery from being healthy, through debilitating arthritis, and back to health once again–and they both present it as a journey from before they suspected the need for joint replacement to having successfully completed it.

In addition, we have added non-captioned cartoons at the front of each chapter. These have been cleverly composed by our illustrator, Ryan Counts, to lighten up the tone and somber mood (nature) so it leaves the reader better able to make their decisions without the obviously, heavy, emotional burden of the subject matter of knee surgery and hip surgery from irrationally coloring their decision, i.e. the need to have a knee replacement or hip replacement.

The tone is both technical and non-technical, both serious and humorous (when appropriate), and is an artful, thoughtful blend created to enhance understanding and to dispel confusion for the reader.

We have covered these two topics (hip replacement or knee replacement) from the points-of-view of the patients (both hip surgery and knee surgery); physician; and professional, medical caregivers.

Robert Holland (writing as the patient who’s had a knee replacement twice) and Francine Campone (as the patient who’s had both hips replaced, bring their fresh, up-to-date and erudite perspectives about going through this journey of knee replacement surgery and hip replacement surgery from being healthy, through debilitating arthritis, and back to health once again–and they both present it as a journey from before they suspected the need for joint replacement to having successfully completed it.

In addition, we have added non-captioned cartoons at the front of each chapter. These have been cleverly composed by our illustrator, Ryan Counts, to lighten up the tone and somber mood (nature) so it leaves the reader better able to make their decisions without the obviously, heavy, emotional burden of the subject matter of knee surgery and hip surgery from irrationally coloring their decision, i.e. the need to have a knee replacement or hip replacement.

The need for this handbook first became obvious to coauthor, Robert Holland, when he realized he needed knee replacement surgery and (in searching through the World Wide Web, libraries and bookstores [large and small]), found that there was no trustworthy, up-to-date, unbiased, and yet fully definitive book in the marketplace that covered what he needed to know before he went to the surgeon’s office. His understanding of this process (after having experienced the knee replacement journey twice within a fairly close time period [due to unforeseen conditions]), led him to conclude that he should write such a book and that the time was ripe for a proper, new and comprehensive treatment of the subject matter. Not long after Dr. Hugate revised Robert’s initial knee implant, Robert commented on his perceptions and intentions and Dr. Hugate offered to help.

Simply stated, we combined all of the perspectives on this complex and often confusing subject. We have a chapter written by Francine Campone who’s had two hip replacements and coauthor Robert Holland who’s had two knee replacements done on the same leg. In addition to Dr. Hugate’s insight and knowledge, our friend Dr. Gianni Checa wrote the chapter on anesthesiology and Inger Brueckner, MSPT, wrote the chapter on Physical Therapy. Robert, Francine and Dr. Hugate also added their comments and insights throughout the book. Simply put, we discovered nothing of its kind in the marketplace and considering the difficulty of composing this work in such a manner as to be both comprehensive and yet easily understood, we clearly understand why.

Moreover, our book is as generically designed for the greater international audience as is possible while paying close attention to our U.S. market.

​Dr. Hugate:

“I have been an orthopedic surgeon for 10 years and currently practice in Denver,Colorado. Every week I see patients in my clinic with painful hips and knees. I do my best to communicate all of the medical options and relevant points in an understandable way to my patients considering joint replacement surgery. Unfortunately, there are always some issues we’re unable to clearly discuss and define during the brief visits in my office. This can be frustrating for both patient and physician… but is an unfortunate reality. This is why a “handbook” resource like this is invaluable. In our writing (and your reading) of this handbook, no longer are we time limiting our discussion.”

“I think you’ll find that this handbook is different from other information sources on joint replacement in a couple of very important ways. The first difference you’ll notice while reading this book is that it’s written by both patients and health care professionals. This is important, as most of the books available on this complex subject are typically written by one or the other. This handbook is also different in how it is written. It is written in plain language. We will not be writing this with a professorial tone or “talk down” to the reader like a parent to a child. We have made every attempt to use understandable language throughout. That is not to say that patients are incapable of understanding the issues, but when complex, technical, “medical jargon” is entered into the conversation… it can be hard for the layperson to follow. On the occasion that we need to use technical language to get our point across, we clearly explain what’s meant by the phrases chosen. We have also included a glossary to help better define the vocabulary.”

This book is nonfiction containing medical information on the subjects of knee replacement surgery and hip replacement surgery covering approximately 99% of the facets and germane facts about these two quite complex subjects.

We also cover what these two journeys have in common and uncover and explain commonly misunderstood issues. This is a book for the ordinary person considering whether or not to have either replacement knee surgery or replacement hip surgery done and offers advice and wisdom on this often complex and confusing subject matter, no matter what path is chosen.

So, in answer to the question, “What can the reader obtain?”, the reader will obtain new knowledge and understanding of these complex issues and can choose what pieces of this knowledge they wish to fully comprehend–as such, knowledge, understanding and comprehension are to be obtained–of course!

One of our major themes is to help people understand whether they need a hip replacement or knee replacement, or if they should be considering other, non-surgical options, i.e. helping our readers to understand what non-surgical options are available.

The next major theme is as follows: if either hip surgery or knee surgery turns out to be the best option, we want to provide the reader with a comprehensive look at all of the most common issues, knowledge needed, preparation for surgery, pitfalls and requirements (in terms of the patient’s own responsibilities) for the successful journey through a joint replacement and in creating a positive outcome.

Within this book we also present never-before-seen diagrams (which are either preceded or followed by explanation) and are depicted in such a manner as to further clarify and elucidate both the technical and non-technical rhetoric.

Another theme woven throughout is advice given both to (and about) the roles of the caregivers and/or extended family members who are associated with the patient and who must accompany the patient on this journey through joint replacement, as well as the points-of-view of their medical professional caregivers.

Lastly, due to the fact that multiple contributors comment throughout the book in various places, we have included a theme using avatars and text/font (related to the respective type of rhetoric [comment versus text]) to make it easy for the reader to determine which writer is speaking. For example, immediately preceding [and to the left of] the comments and any change-of-writer within a chapter—there is an icon (or ‘avatar’) to let the reader know who is speaking in the following passage—thus creating a thematic, iconographical road map. As such, this book is also a guide concerning whether or not to undergo replacement knee surgery or replacement hip surgery, and if knee surgery or hip surgery is chosen, to guide them through the journey to a successful outcome.