Outpatient / Same Day Joint Replacement
With current techniques and technologies, the majority of hip and knee replacements can be performed safely as an outpatient. Less than a decade ago, both hip and knee replacements were considered “inpatient-only” procedures. In fact, at that time, the average length of stay in a hospital following joint replacement was 3-4 days. In addition, a significant number of patients would lose enough blood during the procedure that they would need a transfusion of blood after surgery.
Improvements in techniques and technologies have markedly improved our ability to:
- Reduce operative time
- Reduce blood loss
- Mobilize patients sooner (typically within an hour or two after the procedure)
- Control postoperative pain better
- Provide more consistent outcomes for patients.
Some of the improvements that have contributed to this include:
- Improved pain control with “regional” blocks and local anesthetics
- Enhanced surgical planning techniques to potentially reduce operative time
- Use of robotics and other technologies to improve precision and reduce variability
- Surgical approaches that involve less cutting of tissue
- “Quadriceps-sparing” approaches knee replacement
- Direct Anterior Approach (DAA) hip replacement
- “Mini” Posterior Approach hip replacement
- Special medications that reduce bleeding
- A greater number of implant options to allow more customization of the procedure
- Reduction in the need for catheters and drains
Want to make an appointment?
Complete our online intake form. That way we can pair you with the right doctor according to your reason for visit and schedule you properly. We will then follow up and contact you about choosing the date and time for your appointment.