The Seton Orthopedic Institute specializes in care of individuals experiencing a loss of mobility or pain associated with illness or injury to the knee, hip and shoulder. The Institute provides the full spectrum of care – from conservative management of early symptoms of joint discomfort to surgery employing the latest minimally invasive techniques:

braces and supports
• rehabilitation therapy
• medication and injections
• surgery (including arthroscopic and the latest, minimally invasive procedures)

Get back to your active self. The nurse coordinator of the Seton Orthopedic Institute helps to ensure surgery patients have a comfortable and informed experience – from the initial educational class to follow-up care after leaving the hospital.

Register for the free Joint Replacement Class. Held every Thursday, from 1 pm to 2:30 pm, the class helps prepare you for hip replacement or knee replacement surgery. Registration is required at (650) 991-5819.
• Visit www.SetonOrthopedicCare.org for more information about the Seton Orthopedic Institute and its physicians.
• The nurse coordinator may be reached at (650) 991-5819.
• Visit the Physician Search for board-certified orthopedic specialists atSetonMedicalCenter who focus on knee, hip and shoulder conditions.

The Orthopedic Outpatient Center opened in 2012 in a comfortable and modern office building adjacent to the hospital and with ample free parking nearby. Conveniently located within the Seton Orthopedic Institute, theOrthopedicOutpatientCenter is staffed by board-certified physicians specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions and a dedicated nurse coordinator who provides personalized attention and support throughout the care of each patient.

Call (650) 991-5880 to schedule a new-patient appointment (physician referral needed).
• Call (650) 991-5819 to talk directly with the nurse coordinator.

The San Francisco Spine Institute is internationally renowned for its research and clinical care of patients with all types of spinal conditions. The Institute is staffed by SpineCare Medical Group, a multidisciplinary group of spine specialists who provide traditional and leading-edge diagnosis and treatment of patients with:

neck and low-back pain
• herniated discs
• whiplash-related injuries
• osteoporosis
• spinal fractures and deformities
• injury rehabilitation

Individualized treatment plans are developed for each patient and may include non-surgical and surgical interventions. Arthroscopic surgery or minimally invasive surgery is recommended when possible. Treatment may involve more traditional surgeries, such as fusions, although the latest techniques will likely be employed. SpineCare physicians specialize in treatment of patients with all types of spine pain and conditions (including those who have been previously treated).

Call (650) 985-7547 to schedule a new-patient appointment.
• Visit www.spinecare.com for information about SpineCare Medical Group.

Seton Medical Center has a dedicated, 35-bed inpatient Orthopedic-Spine Unit on the Seventh Floor of the hospital. It is staffed by nurses and other health care professionals who are specially trained and experienced in caring for orthopedic and spine patients.
• Following discharge, patients may receive additional rehabilitation services at Seton’s nearby Physical Rehabilitation Center.

In 2012, Seton Medical Center opened the Orthopedic Outpatient Center in a comfortable and modern office building adjacent to the hospital (1850 Sullivan Ave., Suite 150, Daly City) and with ample free parking nearby. Conveniently located within the Seton Orthopedic Institute, the Orthopedic Outpatient Center is staffed by board-certified physicians specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic conditions and a dedicated nurse coordinator who provides personalized attention and support throughout the care of each patient. The Center is open Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm, and can be reached at (650) 991-5880.

Check back often for more news about Orthopedic & Spine Care at Seton Medical Center
• Other latest news from Seton Medical Center

Click here to learn about what makes Elsie tick and here for a short YouTube video featuring Elsie and her Seton colleagues who are passionate about early detection and prevention of life-threatening illness.

More women, and men, have thinning bones than ever before, and the risk increases with age.

Bone loss that leads to osteoporosis often occurs without any noticeable symptoms.
• By the time you develop a fracture, feel pain or develop curvature of the spine, osteoporosis may already be present.
• By identifying bone loss early, steps can be taken to reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Family history
• Smoking
• Slender build
• Asian or Caucasian descent
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Excess sugary foods, drinks, alcoholic or protein in the diet
• Low calcium intake

Difficulty getting up from a chair without using your arms to push
• Joint or muscle aches
• Resting pulse greater than 80 beats per minute
• Height loss
• Increased stooping (curvature of the spine)
• Bone mineral density test results of -2.5% or less

These symptoms can indicate other health problems as well so it’s important to talk with your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Have a bone mineral density test
• Do weight-bearing exercises daily, such as walking, light weight-training, yoga or Pilates
• Follow a healthy diet that emphasizes whole foods
• Drink plenty of water
• Avoid soda, alcohol or excess coffee intake
• Take appropriate supplements with calcium
• Ask your doctor about the need for hormone replacement therapy (after menopause) or other medications to help restore bone density

You can get a short, painless bone mineral density test at the Seton Women’s Health Center, 1850 Sullivan Ave., Suite 110, Daly City. Open Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 4:30 pm. Call (650) 991-6030.

IMPORTANT: This information is provided as a community service. It is not intended as medical advice. Contact your personal physician about your individual health care needs and for advice about starting a new exercise program.

• Farmers markets
• Crystal Springs Regional Trail
• Walking tours of San Francisco
• Community pools
• Local recreation departments
• Seniors centers
• Public libraries