Recently, Dr. Tchejeyan had the pleasure of being a guest on the OPUM Podcast, a podcast hosted by OPUM Technologies, a breakthrough company that “utilizes AI to provide actionable data and insights that help patients manage their recovery and long-term knee health” [1]. Famously known as the “L.A. Knee Guy”, Dr. T. naturally had much to add to the conversation!
Dr. Gregory H. Tchejeyan, the contributing orthopaedic surgeon in this episode, was joined by Dr. Freeborn Mondello, a certified orthopedic rehabilitation specialist in Colorado. They immediately embarked upon the discussion about how to ensure patient compliance in the journey from surgery to recovery.
Successful Relationships = Successful Outcomes
Throughout the discussion, Dr. T. stressed the importance of patient-doctor communication in the recovery process. This begins with detailed office visits in which the patient’s symptoms and goals are discussed. Another specific requirement for Dr. T. is regular post-op follow-ups and a good relationship with his patients’ physical therapists, who send him progress reports on patient milestones throughout the recovery process. According to Dr. T., success begins with starting off on the right foot.
“I spend a lot of time trying to identify what that person’s goals are with the operations and I try to manage expectations. Through open communication with my patients, we can start off on the right journey.”
A 5-time Ironman Triathlon Finisher, Dr. T. uses an analogy that any of his athletic patients can understand – he compares the recovery process to a race that an athlete prepares for in order to achieve success!
“I try to motivate them to participate and be proactive in their recovery. I can perform, that’s what I do for a living, but this is a lifetime experience for my patients and they need to be coached.”
The conversation went on to illustrate how a culture of patient engagement fuels compliance in the recovery process. Dr. T. agrees.
“I try to treat my patients as if they are my friends…we try to get to know who they are. By showing that we have a caring relationship with them, I think they engage with us.”
Having those close relationships had become a challenge during the pandemic. With the majority of his surgeries being elective, some were postponed as he continued to provide telehealth visits. Thankfully, recent technological advancements have helped to make surgeries safer than ever.
Robotic surgery, for example, allows for smaller incisions, same-day releases (no long hospital stays!), the preservation of surrounding tissues, and lower chances of infection. Dr. Tchejeyan specializes in this method using the Mako Robotic Arm.
Robotic Surgery = Better Outcomes
Robotic surgery digitizes the limb with a CT Scan, which allows them to precisely place the implants with the robotic arm onto the knee surface with accurate alignment. Even Dr. Freeborn admitted that with the addition of increased movement before surgery, patients recover better after robotic surgery in the rehabilitation process.
Communicating the process of this to patients has been a challenge in the world of the internet! Dr. T. noted how many patients come into the office with misinformation, which is why he has taken a personal approach to educate patients and non-patients on his blog posts and social media platforms. He’s even highlighted monthly case studies to showcase real-life patient experiences. Even being on this podcast was part of his educational journey to inform patients. As he noted, the most informed decision is usually the best decision!
Listen For Yourself!
Patient education is an integral component of personal health. Throughout this podcast, Dr. Tchejeyan offered valuable insights to help patients understand the processes of orthopedic surgery and recovery. He discussed topics varying from the impact of healthcare costs on surgery and rehabilitation, to the general fascination over achieving 10,000 steps each day!
Have a listen and learn a little something, too! Then, share your thoughts with us on social media! Dr. T. loves interacting with his patients on the web, but you can visit him in person at his clinic in Thousand Oaks.
250 Lombard Street, 1st Floor
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
[1] https://opumtechnologies.com
