In our Joint Replacement Program, our specialists manage hip and knee arthritis using evidence-based practices.
We perform over 1,100 hip and knee replacement surgeries every year to help address pain and management from hip and knee arthritis. We are a referral center for the most complicated hip and knee replacement cases in the region.
At Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) in Lebanon, New Hampshire, we see some of the most challenging cases in the region and are the only Level 1 Trauma Center and tertiary referral center in the state of New Hampshire.
Learn more about joint replacement at DHMC:
- Our treatments and procedures
- Our services
- What to expect during your joint replacement
- Using our online tool to keep up with your recovery
- More resources about joint replacement
- Our teams
- Our national recognition
Dartmouth Health adopts robotic-assisted technology to aid in joint replacement surgery
Robotic joint replacement technology available at both DHMC and Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital.
Latest treatments and procedures
We offer non-surgical options for hip and knee arthritis. When the time for joint replacement comes, our surgeons perform:
- Primary total joint replacement surgery, including minimally-invasive, muscle-sparing surgery approaches (such as direct anterior approach for hip replacement)
- Partial joint replacement
- Outpatient total joint replacement surgery
- Robotic-assisted joint replacement surgery
Our experts also focus on complex revision surgery including:
- Revision hip and knee replacement surgery
- Peri-prosthetic fractures
- Complex pelvis and acetabular surgery and treatment of peri-prosthetic infections
It has been over 7 years since my first hip replacement in June 2015 and 6 years since my second in July 2016. I wish to thank again Dr. Wayne Moschetti and everyone else involved with my surgeries. Except for when I fly and forget that I have had the surgeries and have metal in my body, I do not have any adverse effects from the surgeries. Being able to be a fully active person with no pain or discomfort has been great these last 7+ years. And I see no reason why this should not continue for many years to come.
Tom, hip replacement patient
Our services
When you choose us to help you with joint pain, we will offer you:
- A shared decision making approach to patient care: you and your surgeon will work together to decide what the right options are to get you better, faster; ultimately, the decision on a treatment option is yours to make
- A comprehensive total joint program that includes extensive pre-operative evaluation and physical and occupational therapy evaluations
- Extensive, trained, dedicated team of providers all focused on you, including surgeons, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, and nurses
- A personalized education program for joint replacement including a live class, DVD, and educational binder
- The opportunity to be involved in research that continually improves and leads the way for the future of joint replacement
- Affiliation with the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, one of the largest implant retrieval labs in the country, where groundbreaking research involving orthopaedic implants is being performed
- The knowledge and research background that only a nationally-ranked academic medical center can offer. We treat the most complex joint issues and traumatic injuries in our region so we have the experience to help you, no matter what you may be experiencing.
What to expect during your joint replacement procedure at Dartmouth Health
Dartmouth Health’s orthopedic surgeons perform more than 2,200 primary joint replacements and revisions each year, placing them among the most experienced joint surgeons in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine.
When you choose us for your joint replacement procedure, you can expect high-quality, comprehensive care—starting at the time of your initial consultation and continuing through your recovery. Your surgical journey may include:
- Surgical consultation. During your surgical consultation, you will meet with your orthopedic surgeon to discuss your condition and treatment options. Your surgeon will review your recent images to determine if joint replacement is appropriate and discuss surgical approaches with you.
- Focus on pre-surgical wellness. Our orthopedic surgeons understand that the path to a successful joint replacement procedure starts well before the day of your surgery. Your care team will carefully assess your risk for potential complications and work with you to help you quit smoking, control blood sugar levels, reduce body weight and improve overall wellness to increase your chances of a smooth recovery.
- Convenient, close-to-home care. You can elect to have your joint replacement procedure performed at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, or at a member hospital in your own community. Robotic-assisted joint replacement technology is currently available at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital.
- Advanced surgical techniques. Your surgeon will use advanced surgical techniques to reduce blood loss, minimize infection and blood clot risk, reduce pain after surgery, and improve your surgical experience.
- Outpatient joint replacement. We offer outpatient joint replacement procedures for patients who meet eligibility and safety criteria. Select patients may have the option of avoiding an overnight hospital stay and recovering in the comfort of their own home.
- App-based guidance, monitoring and communication. You will have access to a remote-monitoring app to guide you through the joint replacement process. In addition to allowing you to communicate directly with your orthopedics team, the app also includes pre- and post-surgical videos with instructions and exercises, as well as information on recovery.
Keep up with your orthopaedic recovery plan
As part of your joint replacement care, you’ll benefit from using our digital patient tool from Force Therapeutics. This online tool lets you:
- Participate in online interactive classes
- Prepare for your surgery
- View physical therapy videos
- Receive email and text reminders to keep you on track
- Record progress towards your recovery goal
Your joint replacement team will have access to your profile and data, which will also be shared in your electronic medical record. Your providers will monitor your progress to make sure you are hitting your individual recovery milestones.
Learn more about joint replacement
- American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS)
- Knee replacement surgery (Healthwise® Health Encyclopedia)
- Partial hip replacement surgery (Healthwise Health Encyclopedia)
- Total hip replacement surgery (Healthwise Health Encyclopedia)
Our teams by location
- Concord, New Hampshire
Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Concord - Lebanon, New Hampshire
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center - Manchester, New Hampshire
Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Manchester - Nashua, New Hampshire
Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Nashua - New London, New Hampshire
DHMC Orthopaedics at New London Hospital
National recognition
Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement®
Our Joint Replacement Program is designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement by Anthem BlueCross BlueShield based on our commitment to quality care, resulting in better overall outcomes for patients who undergo knee and hip replacement procedures.
Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital is designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee & Hip Replacement by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, an independent licensee of Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
Aetna Institute of Quality® Orthopedic Care Facility
The Aetna Institute recognizes our Joint Replacement Program as an Aetna Institute of Quality® Orthopedic Surgery Facility. This designation recognizes hospitals and facilities in the Aetna network which offer specialized clinical services for certain health conditions. Facilities are selected for consistently delivering evidence-based, safe care.