Is Outpatient Joint Replacement Right for You?

Why Should You Consider Outpatient Hip or Knee Replacement?

Joint Replacement is a relatively major surgery. Not long ago, patients spent 1-3 days in the hospital following the procedure to work with physical therapy and monitor for issues with pain. The hospital setting has been very successful, so why change something that works?

Patient Experience

The hospital is a busy, and sometimes, chaotic environment, and the many moving parts are not always directed towards your care. In the ambulatory setting, there is considerably more surgeon control over the care episode. The teams are smaller and highly specialized, translating to an efficient and more personalized experience. Most centers that perform outpatient total joint procedures are highly specialized for orthopedic care.

For you, outpatient joint replacement will likely be a less stressful surgical experience….and this means a quicker recovery.

But What about the Risks?

Not all patients are appropriate candidates for outpatient surgery. Despite this, the projections from 2015 estimated that 50% of total hip and knee replacements would be performed in outpatient facilities by 2027. This is directly related to improved pain control options, less invasive surgical techniques, and more diligent management of risk factors known to complicate surgery.

The key to success for the patient is appropriate consideration and preparation by your surgical team. A thorough history and exam will be supplemented by the standard preoperative work-up including: EKG, a complete metabolic panel, complete blood count, and HgbA1c in diabetics.

Preparation is Key

Unlike hospital-based surgery, a lot of the work when performing same-day procedures is front-loaded, utilizing a multi-disciplinary team before the surgery. This means that you will have a well-defined plan for your post-surgery care before you even have the procedure.

You should select a family member or close friend to stay with you for the first 72 hours after you go home. Ideally, this person will attend your preoperative evaluations to better understand the plan after surgery.

Dr. Werger’s team includes an Arthroplasty Navigator to streamline the process. You will be contacted by our navigator after scheduling your surgery. This will be a friendly and consistent contact, who with your surgeon, will help manage perioperative expectations, coordinate logistics on the day of surgery, and plan for home care.

Home Health Care will often be coordinated to visit you at home. Their team will visit regularly and includes nurses and physical therapists to make your first week at home more comfortable.