New Coon Joint Replacement Institute
Renews Lives and Restores Vitality

Thomas Coon, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon

The Coon Joint Replacement Center at St. Helena Hospital is much more than an orthopedic surgery center. It’s the culmination of decades of pioneering work by world-renowned orthopedic surgeon Thomas Coon, MD.

Practicing orthopedic surgery since 1987, Dr. Coon invented, patented and performed the world’s first QuadSparing^TM total knee arthroplasty in 2000. Since then he has dedicated his efforts to perfecting the minimally invasive technique and training more than 4,000 surgeons around the world in its use. Hailed by his peers for quality and patient satisfaction, the technique has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and ABC TV’s "Good Morning America."

The minimally invasive knee replacement procedure allows the surgeon to resurface the damaged portion of the joint with little or no damage to the quadriceps muscle and tendon, thus minimizing postoperative pain and increasing mobility.

The surgery takes less than an hour and is performed with a regional anesthetic and light sedation to minimize post-anesthesia side effects. Most patients walk the same day, can return home within 24 hours and are independent within a few days of the surgery. Driving, recreational sporting activities and work can be resumed in just four to six weeks.

Among those benefitting from Dr. Coon’s decades of experience is former paratrooper and retired CEO John Nordstrom.

Dr. Coon, who lives and practices full-time in St. Helena, is further advancing groundbreaking minimally invasive surgical technique with surgical robotics.

Robot Assistance

"MAKOplasty^® allows us to treat patients with knee osteoarthritis at earlier stages and with greater precision," says Dr. Coon. "Because it is less invasive and more of the patient’s natural knee joint remains intact, the goal is for patients to have more natural knee motion after surgery."

A New Life for a Former Paratrooper

"I think I jumped out of too many planes when I was in the Army," jokes Nordstrom, whose arthritic knees hobbled his daily routine and his post-retirement dreams before he underwent knee replacement surgery.

Adam Freedhand, MD Orthopedic Surgeon 6 Woodland Road, Suite 306 St. Helena 877-747-9991		Stephen Franzino, MD Sports Medicine Specialist 3435 Valle Verde Drive, Suite B Napa 707-258-2547
Sports Medicine For the sports enthusiast, it is reassuring to know that St. Helena Hospital has the expertise of orthopedic surgeon Dr. Stephen Franzino. Dr. Franzino joined St. Helena’s Institute for Sports Medicine and Orthopedics in 2003 and brings vast experience working for a variety of collegiate and professional sports teams. Dr. Franzino is specially trained in the diagnosis and treatment of orthopedic and sports medicine injuries and illnesses, including those of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, hand, foot and ankle, as well as congenital disorders and workrelated injuries. Dr. Franzino shares his objective for his patients: "The goal of my practice is to provide the finest possible medical care to injured athletes of all ages and all levels, from the recreational to the professional."

"Rehab went so well I was driving my car in four days and flying my airplane in a little over two weeks after surgery," Nordstrom recalls. "I didn’t feel restricted at all. In fact, if it had been winter instead of August, I probably would have gone skiing."

His experience is typical for Dr. Coon’s patients.

A Global Attraction for Knees and Hips

St. Helena Hospital President/CEO Terry Newmyer predicts that the reputation of Dr. Coon and his fellow orthopedic surgeons will draw people from around the globe. "This is the best place in the world for joint replacement," he says. "Napa Valley is a playground for those over 50—the way Disneyland is an amusement park for young people. To be able to have life-restoring knee replacement surgery by the best surgeons with the best technology, while recovering in the serenity of the Napa Valley, makes this an extremely desirable medical destination."

The Wear and Tear of Life

"It’s just amazing to me that in a 30- to 40-minute life-changing procedure, Dr. Coon can bring back the vibrancy and energy to someone who is struggling just to walk around and enjoy the things we take for granted."
— Terry Newmyer, St. Helena Hospital President/CEO

A Growing Group of Happy Patients

As word about the new Coon Joint Replacement Institute spreads, the ranks of happy alumni grow. Here’s a sample of what some patients have to say about their experience:

"Dr. Coon gets in and gets out in a hurry. He doesn’t cut the quadriceps muscle, so you are able to get around quickly after surgery. Part of the therapy is to walk for 20 minutes twice each day. I like that. It gets the knee used to doing what it is supposed to do. Within a month the pain was pretty much gone."

— Bob Cook, vintner

"I went in at 5 a.m. and came home at 5 p.m., which in itself is remarkable. I felt so well cared for and special. I’m out walking the golf course again."

— Diane Livingston, vintner

"Here I am, five weeks out and I have significant range of motion. I’m going back soon to have the second knee done."

— Jim Fetherston, entrepreneur

For more information on how to stop joint pain and get back to the activities you love, call 877-747-9991.