Replacing Joints Faster
After years of wear and tear or following an injury, some people struggle with joint pain. Over time, the discomfort can become unbearable, significantly reducing the quality of life. Outpatient total joint replacement (TJR) is a great option to address the pain and get people back to daily activities. Total joint replacements are common for hips and knees but are also possible on other major joints. Surgery requires significant recovery time, but the procedure has many benefits.
All on the same day
A total joint replacement removes diseased or damaged parts of a joint. From there, a metal, ceramic, or plastic joint is installed. Surgeons used to perform joint replacements using large open incisions. Now, the procedure has seen massive success using a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) approach in outpatient surgical centers. With MIS, a series of small incisions is made to access and replace the joint. The patient can enter the surgical center or hospital, receive a joint replacement, then leave the same day.
Benefits of outpatient surgery
Total joint replacement surgery is minimally invasive, which provides several benefits to the patient. With conventional surgery at a hospital, scheduling conflicts can delay surgery. With outpatient surgery, patients can receive treatment at a convenient date and time. The MIS also uses small incisions, meaning more minor scars. There’s also less bleeding and a lower risk of complications. Outpatient joint replacement surgery also has some of the highest success rates among elective procedures.
Healing faster
There are many significant healing benefits when having a total joint replacement performed outpatient. The 2-3 small incisions mean faster healing than 1-2 large incisions. These smaller incisions reduce the chance of infections and post-operative pain. Physical therapy (PT) is required after surgery, and outpatient procedures reduce the timeline. Some patients can even begin walking a few days after surgery, thanks to exercises recommended in the weeks leading up to the procedure.
Outpatient criteria
Does the procedure sound too good to be true? Outpatient joint replacement is not for every individual, but many people can benefit from minimally invasive surgery. The patient should be in good health, with no severe pre-existing conditions. While the average age for surgery is declining, doctors generally will treat patients under 75. The ideal patient should also be moderately active with a healthy body weight. Surgery is on the same day, but there should be enough time and support at home for proper recovery.
24 hours only
Thanks to minimally invasive techniques, patients can go in and out of joint replacement surgery on the same day. The benefits are undeniable, particularly for those wanting to return to recreational activities quickly. On average, joint replacements take up to 6 months to heal from fully. However, outpatient surgery can reduce this timeframe and get the patient moving again sooner.
