One way to speed up the process would be to use inline graphics. Size the graphic to as close to the needed size as possible, then copy it. Switch to the Type tool, and do a Find on the word you need to replace. Hit Find Next so that the type you want is highlighted. You'll have to double-click on the word in the doc (but you don't have to close the Find dialog at least), then hit your Paste shortcut. Click the Find Next button again and repeat.
Hope that workaround takes SOME of the tedium out of that task!