Did you know that joint replacement surgery recovery can be done in the comfort of your home? There is a common misconception that hip and knee replacement can require long hospital stay. My patients often ask me about the possibilities of hip and knee replacement in an outpatient setting. With advancements in technology, outpatient total joint replacement is a viable option for most healthy patients.
There are many reasons to opt for an outpatient joint replacement. Listed below are a few of the key benefits of outpatient total joint replacement:
- Recovery in the comfort and convenience of home
- A lower risk of infections and blood transfusions
- Less pain with a long-lasting local anaesthetic
- Cost savings with less extended-stay hospital bills
- Faster recovery with immediate and rigorous physical therapy
While outpatient surgery comes with many benefits, there are things to consider when deciding whether it is the right choice for you. Candidates for outpatient hip and knee replacement should be in good health and motivated to follow postoperative instructions.
A strong mental and physical commitment to participate in the recovery process is essential for outpatient surgery. Patients must be able to identify and report complications quickly and not have any non-manageable issues with comorbid conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. Hands-on help from loved ones for 2-3 weeks is also necessary for a strong recovery in an outpatient setting. If this sounds like something within your capabilities of achieving, outpatient surgery has the potential to be the most comfortable and convenient recovery process available to you.
I am excited to offer my qualified patients the option to get home and recover quickly after total joint replacement. Our care team is always a phone call away and is in touch with each patient on a regular basis. Our end goal is to get patients back to an active and healthy lifestyle, which can be achieved with support in an outpatient setting.
Author: Dr. Paul Jacob is a leading hip and knee surgeon in Oklahoma City who pioneered robotic joint replacement surgery in an outpatient setting. Dr. Jacob has performed over 5000 robotic joint replacement procedures and actively participates in numerous research studies on robotic outcomes.
