Same-Day Outpatient Total Joint Replacement Surgery

Advancements in joint replacement surgery have led to minimally invasive methods that utilize smaller incisions and preserve as much healthy tissue around the joint as possible. In addition, the advanced anesthesia techniques we use at Ohio Specialty Surgical Suites result in much better immediate pain control than general anesthesia.

Other benefits of minimally invasive outpatient hip and knee replacement include:

• Ability to recover in the comfort of your own home, thereby eliminating the risk of hospital-acquired infections
• Smaller incisions, which results in:

• • Less pain and swelling
  • Decreased scarring
  • Faster recovery
  • Minimal blood loss during surgery and fewer complications
  • Less damage to surrounding tissues
  • Increased range of motion after surgery

Prior to your outpatient hip or knee replacement, your orthopedic surgeon will explain how the surgery will be performed, while the surgery center staff will explain how to prepare for surgery, what happens when you arrive for your procedure, and what to expect as you recover at home.

You and your support people, such as your spouse, will meet with the anesthesia team and on-site physical therapists. They will provide you with detailed instructions in pre-operative cleansing, ambulation with a walker, and post-operative physical therapy. They will discuss the type of anesthesia you will receive and give you medications or prescriptions to be filled in advance of the surgery.

A physical therapist will have you on your feet within hours your same-day hip or knee replacement. Once your vital signs are stable and you can tolerate a regular diet and maintain adequate pain control with oral pain medication, you will be discharged to go home.

Physical therapy after knee replacement surgery: You will go home with a sequential compression device and begin outpatient physical therapy the next day. Your physical therapist will create a customized, accelerated rehabilitation program to get you back on your feet as quickly as possible.

Physical therapy after hip replacement surgery: Many of our hip replacement patients do not need outpatient physical therapy. Your doctor will provide instructions at discharge regarding rehabilitation.

While each patient’s recovery time varies, most return to normal activities within 2 to 4 weeks, as opposed to 2 to 3 months following traditional hip or knee replacement surgery.