Outpatient Joint Replacement Surgery

Traditionally, joint replacement has been an inpatient surgical procedure. With the introduction of minimally invasive techniques, modern pain protocols, improved anesthetic techniques, and rapid rehabilitation protocols surgeons are able to perform joint replacement procedures on an outpatient basis. Outpatient joint replacement is exactly the same as traditional joint replacement but the patient is allowed to go home in the first 24 hours after the surgery. This allows patients to recover at home instead of overnight in a hospital. A nurse in the patient’s home closely monitors the patient’s condition and checks vital signs the same as what is generally performed at the hospital. Physical therapists are also available for in- home patient visits for several days to work with the patient on range of motion and flexibility exercises.

With outpatient joint replacement surgery, patients are discharged from the hospital to the comfort of their own home following surgery and are provided with the support of an in-home nurse and follow-up rehabilitation services. Patients can often return to normal activities quicker and with less pain than with traditional joint replacement surgery.

Prior to your day of surgery, you will have a pre-physical therapy home visit to evaluate your home health needs, to practice your post-operative exercises, and to ensure that you are a good candidate for outpatient joint replacement.

Also, you will have a pre-operative evaluation by an internist to ensure that you are of good health and that you will be a good candidate for outpatient joint replacement surgery.

For outpatient robotic joint replacement patients, you will be sent for CT scan prior to your surgery in order to plan your robotic assisted surgery.

Benefits:

The benefits of outpatient joint replacement over inpatient traditional joint replacement include the following:

• Decreased hospital stay
• Improved pain management protocols
• Early mobilization
• Careful home monitoring
• Fewer complications
• Decreased risk of infection
• Improved outcomes
• Increased patient satisfaction
• Increased patient comfort
• Overall decreased cost

Not everyone requires or qualifies for outpatient joint replacement. To be considered for an outpatient joint replacement, a person should have:

• Good health (no major medical problems)
• High level of motivation
• Good family and friend support
• Careful home monitoring