Chances are if you recently have had joint replacement surgery, you were an “outpatient.” That doesn’t mean the treatment was simple or routine. In fact, most joint replacement procedures are out-patient – also known as “same-day” or ambulatory – surgeries, performed outside a traditional hospital setting in what is known as a surgery center.
One reason these procedures are being conducted same-day, outside a hospital, is that the procedures have become so efficient that there is no need for overnight stays or constant medical monitoring. With outpatient or same-day joint replacement surgery, patients typically spend the night after surgery in their own beds; the process of admission, surgery, and discharge all happens in less than a 24-hour cycle. Not only does this free up precious hospital resources, it provides the same level of care of hospital services at a fraction of the cost to you.
Same Day Discharge. What’s changed?
Same-day discharge from any surgery, let alone an invasive procedure like joint replacement, wasn’t always a possibility. In order for patients to be released the same day as their surgery required a marriage of technology, medical advancement, patient education and pre-op preparation, discharge processes, the way anesthesia is administered, and a focus on becoming ambulatory with the goal of becoming ambulatory (albeit, slowly and with assistance) as soon as it is feasible to facilitate healing, re-acquire range of motion, and prevent scar tissue and swelling. High-tech lasers have replaced scalpels, and the medical hardware used to replace worn out joints is now state-of-the-art.
All these advancements not only have drastically improved medical procedure and healing time that follows, but has led to reduced hospital readmissions, infection, and other complications. All at a reduced cost to the patient.
If you planning to have any joint replacement surgery, it’s almost guaranteed to be performed as an outpatient. In the long run, you just may be running longer.
At Movement Orthopedics, Dr. Jeffrey Carroll performs outpatient joint replacement surgery arthroscopically, using methods such as Da Vinci Robotic Surgery, allowing him to get a closer look inside your joints to allow for more accurate diagnoses and beneficial treatment plans. Movement’s orthopedist, specializing in the musculoskeletal system, will work with you to create a comprehensive, personalized plan that minimizes long-term effects and maximizes healing, improving overall health and quality of life.
To learn more about outpatient joint replacement, its benefits, and if you may be a candidate, call Movement Orthopedics our Clinton Township office today at (586) 436-3785 to request an appointment with Dr. Carroll, or you may also request an appointment online.
