With over 600,000 total knee replacements annually, knee replacement surgery is one of the most successful operations in modern medicine.1 For arthritis patients suffering from knee pain, it provides significant relief and improved joint function.
Many patients are concerned about surgery, with a dreaded overnight hospital stay. Today, you can recover in the comfort of your home following knee replacement surgery. Outpatient knee replacement surgery is now a viable option for many healthy patients.
The minimally invasive surgical techniques, new anesthesia methods, and pain management protocols give patients the opportunity to go home within 24 hours of surgery. Patients who undergo outpatient joint replacement experience less pain, need fewer medications, and begin recovery sooner.2
Motivated patients and those with a good support network at home make the best candidates for same-day joint replacement surgery. Outpatient total joint replacement offers the following key benefits:
- Lower risk of post-surgical complications
- Faster recovery times
- A quicker return to active lifestyles
- Improved patient outcomes
- Less stress and better quality sleep with an at-home recovery
- Reduction in hospital costs
After knee replacement surgery, patients typically require family, friends, or hired help to assist them at home the first week post-op. Even if the patient experiences little pain and generally feels good, it is essential to rest.
Patients and families should expect limited mobility during the first few days after surgery. Following all postoperative instructions and completing necessary rehabilitation is vital to ensuring proper healing and restoring knee function.
Our ultimate goal for each patient is a healthy, active lifestyle. Joint replacement can help improve mobility for many years to come.
AUTHOR: Natham Hammel, MD is a board-certified fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee replacement in Southern California, serving the Greater San Diego area.
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3702756/
2. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/outpatient-joint-replacement-surgery/
