Knee Replacement Seminar Addresses Facts vs. Fiction

DELAND, Fla., July 3, 2018 Nearly 100 community members joined AdventHealth DeLand for a free community luncheon titled, Knee Replacement: Fact vs. Fiction, on June 26.

Led by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mark Hollmann, guests learned about the myths surrounding knee replacement procedures over lunch at the Victoria Gardens Clubhouse.

Hollmann addressed recent research that examined using bone marrow stem cells to reduce arthritic pain and disability in knees.

There are at least 600 stem cell clinics in the U.S. offering a form of stem cell therapy to patients who pay anywhere between $2,500 to $10,000, all out of pocket because insurance doesn't cover this type of treatment, Hollmann said. The findings in The American Journal of Sports Medicine show that stem cells may be a safe option for knee pain, but are not recommended for knee arthritis care. More studies are needed because, while use of a patients own stem cells for regenerative therapy is extraordinarily popular, the treatments have not undergone rigorous clinical study.

Hollmann also emphasized that the number of joint replacement procedures a surgeon and hospital team perform is critical.

Before undergoing a joint replacement, it is important to do your own research and find an experienced physician, Hollmann added. About 80 percent of knee replacements are performed by doctors who do less than 20 a year that's less than two per month.

By contrast, Hollmann performs more than 300 knee replacements each year at AdventHealth DeLand.

AdventHealth DeLand is one of only five hospitals in the state to earn The Joint Commissions Gold Seal of Approval for shoulder replacements, designating the hospital as a Center of Excellence for total shoulder replacement surgery. In addition, AdventHealth DeLand is also a Center of Excellence for total hip and total knee replacement surgery.

About AdventHealth DeLand

AdventHealth DeLand is a member of AdventHealth System, a faith-based health care organization with 46 hospital campuses in nine states, serving more than 5 million patients annually. With a mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ, AdventHealth DeLand has 164-beds and is one of the seven AdventHealths in Flagler, Lake and Volusia counties that composes the AdventHealth Central Florida Division - North Region. As the largest hospital system in the area, the AdventHealth Central Florida Division - North Region has 1,226 beds and more than 7,800 employees.