New Center for Bone and Joint Health

There is a newly opened Center for Bone and Joint Health here in Pittsburgh! The Center for Bone and Joint Health is located at UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital and is a non-surgical center to help patients who struggle with bone and joint pain. They specifically treat patients with arthritis, hip pain, knee pain, and back pain.

The Center offers treatment in various ways, one of which is tailored, nonsurgical care to help you manage your symptoms. Additionally, the health experts at the Center will listen and learn about what matters to you most to set goals for your care plan and help you live a pain-free life to the fullest. They do this by bringing together other UPMC Magee experts from many areas to give the best possible care. They also work with local communities to address and reduce racial and health disparities that affect bone and joint health. They do so through education, outreach, and improved access to care.

This newly established center can help you learn about your bone health and osteoporosis risk, improve your joint health, and find arthritis treatment options. It can also help you learn techniques to manage your pain, form healthier eating habits, and set goals for yourself to make positive lifestyle changes. Below, you can read more about the Center through an interview-style Q&A. I had the amazing opportunity to interview Jessica Carlson, who is a coordinator at the center, to help us know more about the department. 

Interview Questions With Jessica

What is the Center’s mission?

“The Center’s mission has 3 parts:

• Co-design care programs that meet patients’ needs

• Identify and reduce disparities in musculoskeletal care

• Develop educational programs with and for patients, the community, and providers

The center tends to focus on whole-person health achieved through healthy lifestyle modifications (increased movement (“movement is medicine”), nutrition, stress reduction, smoking cessation, etc.) and focuses on a Patient Centered Value System (PCVS).”

At “the Center,” we view the journey to wellness as a unique experience for every person, and we recognize the need for information and guidance from a team of healthcare providers. The Center leverages and enhances current efforts at Magee by collaborating and building unique interdisciplinary programs that address the clinical needs of patients.

What is the Patient Centered Value System?

“PCVS is a change methodology developed by Dr. Anthony M. DiGioia which focuses on tapping into the powerful experiences of patients and employees to inspire and drive change. At the Center, PCVS is used to co-design programs that improve patient experiences and outcomes. With this approach, we’ve been able to bridge the gaps between patients and providers. 

Healthcare has traditionally been “siloed.” Think of the experience that many of us have had:

• You go to your doctor, who refers you to another doctor.

• You go to the 2nd doctor, who doesn’t know what the first doctor told you and who doesn’t report his information back to the first doctor.

  • You, the patient, are responsible for being the connector between multiple specialists.

  • You, the patient, are responsible for coordinating the care, tests, timing, medications, etc. ordered by multiple doctors.

With PCVS, the Center developed care teams that break down the silos and connect all providers needed by the patient. This human-centered methodology helps the Center team continuously re-imagine ideal care and create those experiences for patients. In doing so, we’re also improving experiences for employees and providers. Work is more fulfilling, professional connections grow, etc.”

For non-surgical candidates, what does the center specifically offer patients who struggle with bone and joint pain?

“Many patients who come to the Center for Bone and Joint Health struggle because of painful joints. We often talk about the “vicious cycle” where painful joints lead to decreased physical activity…less movement and activity lead to weight gain…weight gain leads to depression, worsening overall health, and even more joint pain…and the cycle continues. 

Oftentimes, joint pain can be reduced by losing weight, increasing movement, and maintaining good nutrition. At the Center, care providers work one-on-one with patients to design a care journey that helps them reach their health goals. If the goal is to decrease pain, the care team (which includes the patient!) explores services and tools that support the patient. If the goal is to lose weight, the care team focuses on strategies to get there. Every individual’s health goals are supported by a multidisciplinary team that treats the whole person.

We encourage patients to choose the services that will help them reach their personal goals. Then, our providers coordinate care across those services so that patients experience a seamless and personalized journey to better health.”

For surgical candidates, what does the center specifically offer patients who struggle with bone and joint pain?

“While the Center for Bone and Joint Health is a non-operative treatment program, many of our patients do intend to have total joint replacement surgery. We support these patients by assisting them with weight loss, smoking cessation, “prehab” exercises to build bone mass and strengthen supporting muscle groups, health education, and emotional/social support before total joint replacement. 

Patients who are healthy, educated, and strong before surgery have the best outcomes. Many patients come to the Center for Bone and Joint Health to prepare for total hip or knee replacements.”

How does someone get in contact with the Center?

“Anyone interested in working with a provider at the Center for Bone and Joint Health can call 412-641-8594. A referral from another provider is not needed.

For more information, you can also email Kim Chessey, the CBJH Coordinator, at leka3@upmc.edu or Jessica Carlson at carlsonjl@upmc.edu.”