Over the last 5 years, there has been a growing trend in the United States towards moving total joint replacement surgery to an outpatient procedure (patient goes home on the same day as surgery). This is typically done for younger and healthy patients. However, the results have been outstanding in several areas. The patient avoids a long hospital admission and is able to recover in the comfort of his/her own home.
The protocols are now in place in Richmond and we look forward to offering this to our patients starting in January 2019. Anterior total hip replacements as well as minimally invasive total knee replacements in selected patients will be given the option of outpatient surgery.
Multiple studies have shown higher patient satisfaction rates with this option as well as reduced complications (wound infections, blood clots, urinary tract infections). Typically, the cost is also much less than having surgery in a traditional hospital setting. For years now, patients in other health care markets have had this option available to them with excellent results.
We are now pleased to offer outpatient total hip and knee replacement to our patients here in Richmond, VA. Please ask us more about this procedure and whether or not you would be a candidate!