For most orthopedic diseases and injuries, there is more than one form of treatment. Treatment may involve medications, medical devices such as casts or splints and/or therapies such as exercise or surgery. Each patient and his/her physician will discuss the various and appropriate treatment options and selects the best treatment plan possible.

Should the need for surgery be determined, SAMC's orthopedic surgery education program will help prepare patients and their caregivers. SAMC's innovative approach has proven successful in reducing the recovery period and returning patients to the activities of daily living through regained strength, independence and confidence.

Even before admission, an orthopedic case manager, a physical therapist, and an occupational therapist begin to prepare patients and their families for what to expect during the hospital stay, including recommendations and information about adaptive equipment for use at home, exercises that will be important and helpful during rehabilitation, fall prevention and what to expect during at-home recovery.