St. Francis Webcast Gives Patients Insight into Hip Replacement Surgery

MOORESVILLE– For many with arthritis, winter weather can bring out the worst in aches and pains. While anti-inflammatory drugs can help some, for others more extreme measures may be needed.

Severe arthritis sufferers can learn more about their options for hip pain, and in particular, hip replacement, in an archived version of a live Webcast from St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers. St. Francis Hospital and slp3D first broadcast the total hip replacement procedure on January 14th, 2003.

Merrill A. Ritter, M.D., internationally renowned specialist in total joint replacement surgery and founder of The Center for Hip and Knee Surgery, performs the hip replacement live, and is joined by Dr. Michael E. Berend, Dr. Philip M. Faris and Dr. E. Michael Keating, all of The Center for Hip and Knee Surgery. The three discuss options for hip replacement and take questions via e-mail.

"I am very excited to be able to share this procedure with those who are struggling with unbearable joint pain," Ritter says." Learning about their options and seeing how relatively simple this hip replacement surgery is will ease the minds of many who are working with their doctors to find solutions.".