Is Same-day hip or knee surgery right for you?

Same-day hip or knee surgery, also known as total joint arthroplasty (TJA), is a growing trend that is not slowing down.Over the past few years, there has been a reported increase in outpatient hip and knee replacements of 47%. Patients who have received TJA praised the procedure as a quick and innovative alternative to the traditional joint surgery. With positive results such as these, it’s easy to understand why surgery candidates are researching if this type of procedure is right for them.

So what about you?

How do you identify if you are an ideal candidate for same-day hip or knee surgery? What are the advantages of outpatient surgery versus the traditional?

The goal of the article is to help shed some light on the advantages of outpatient surgery and determine if this procedure is right for you.

Advantages of Outpatient Joint Surgery

The advantages of outpatient joint surgery far outweigh the disadvantages. On average, the entire process from admission to discharge takes less than 24 hours. This reduces costs saving you and your insurance company up to 50%. If you have out-of-pocket expenses, this is a huge advantage in itself!

Of course, the advantages of outpatient joint surgery are more than saving money.

Because your surgery is performed as an outpatient, your physical therapist will have the ability to begin your recovery plan within 24 hours of your discharge. This will help you regain full function within the hip or knee faster.

Other advantages of surgery include a lower risk of infection, less pain and, state of the art equipment. Though recovery will still take time, your post-surgery experience will be much faster than the traditional hip or knee replacement surgery. With same day hip and knee surgery, you are able to go home after the procedure and begin your healing process in the comfort of your own home.

What Makes An Ideal Candidate?

An ideal candidate for outpatient surgery is motivated and willing to follow instructions after the procedure. By following your doctor’s instructions, you will ensure that the healing process goes smoothly. Another trait of a strong candidate for TJA is a person who is active before the procedure. If you are an independent and mobile individual, you will respond better to post-surgery physical therapy. You should also be healthy and not require any medication for chronic pain.

The last trait of an ideal candidate is to be well supported. After your surgery, you will need someone nearby to help out for several weeks. By being well supported by family and friends, you will recover faster than trying to do everything on your own.

I Am An Ideal Candidate! Now What?

If you believe you are an ideal candidate for same-day hip or knee replacement, the next step is speaking with your healthcare provider. They will guide you through the procedure, advise you on how to prepare and ensure that your personal experience is as successful as possible.

We hope that this article was helpful. If you have any questions regarding same-day hip or knee surgery, we are here to help! Send us an email or give us a call to get started.