Outpatient Total Joint Replacement

It hurts to sit. It hurts to stand. It even hurts to lay down. You’ve tried pain medications, exercise, physical therapy, injections, and everything else your doctor has recommended (and maybe even a few things you’ve found online). Chronic joint pain can make every day a challenge, especially when it persists no matter what you do. When all else fails, it may be time to consider joint replacement.

Historically, total joint replacement, or total joint arthroplasty (TJA), involved a lengthy hospital stay; however, over the years, advancements in surgical technique and preoperative care have significantly reduced inpatient recovery times.

Now, through further advancements, OrthoMaryland is able to offer total joint replacements on an outpatient basis with patients returning home within a few hours following surgery.

In a study published by the National Institutes of Health, patient feedback following total joint replacement in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) was “overwhelmingly positive.” The surgeons at OrthoMaryland have witnessed these overwhelming results firsthand. Together with Greenspring Surgery Center (GSC), our joint replacement specialists have been successfully performing outpatient joint replacements for more than three years with excellent results and patient satisfaction.

OrthoMaryland Hip and Knee Replacement Specialist, Dr. Peter Jay, says our surgeons have been amazed by the results of this program. He attributes these phenomenal outcomes to the determination of the patients and believes being in their own environment allows them to thrive in ways that aren’t possible in a hospital setting.

Benefits of Outpatient Total Joint Replacement

In recent years, outpatient joint replacement has continued to gain popularity due to its superior outcomes and the many benefits it can provide.

One study published by The Journal of Arthroplasty compared inpatient with outpatient hip and knee replacements performed in both hospitals and surgical centers. The study showed outpatient procedures, particularly those performed in ASCs, resulted in significantly lower readmission rates as well as reduced postsurgical complications and fewer revision surgeries.

Additional benefits include:

• Less pain
• Less need for narcotic pain medications (opioids)
• Faster recovery
• Reduced blood loss
• Recovery in the comfort of your own home
• More restful sleep
• Quicker return to daily activities
• More personalized care
• Potentially lower risk of infection
• Potentially lower risk of developing a blood clot

What to Expect from Outpatient Joint Replacement?

OrthoMaryland’s outpatient joint replacements are performed at Greenspring Surgery Center (GSC), a freestanding surgery center developed by surgeons specifically for their patients.

An outpatient procedure at GSC is a very personalized experience. Before your surgery, you will receive a call from our concierge nurse who will walk you through the process and is there to answer your questions from beginning to end.

Your surgical team will include a board certified anesthesiologist dedicated specifically to your care and recovery. Your anesthesiologist will stay with you through the entire procedure to ensure maximum safety and comfort. Click here to learn more about anesthesia at Greenspring Surgery Center.

GSC is Medicare-certified and also a recipient of the highest level of certification from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC).

Home Care and Recovery

Following surgery, your home nurse or physical therapist will meet with you in the recovery room and will also help you get settled at home. You will have a home therapy program which will occur daily for approximately one–two weeks.

One week after surgery, you will meet with your surgeon to determine if you are ready to transition to outpatient physical therapy. Typically, patients will receive outpatient therapy approximately three times per week for two–three months. During this time, your doctor will see you at regular intervals to make sure your recovery is on schedule.

Is Outpatient Joint Replacement Right for You?

Ideal candidates for outpatient total joint replacement are ambitious patients who wish to take an active part in their healing and recovery process. These include such things as willingness to do pre-surgical evaluations and exercise regimens to better condition themselves for surgery and recovery.

Your doctor will consider a variety of factors to determine whether outpatient surgery is appropriate for you.  

Factors may include:

• Medical conditions and medications
• Appropriate setting for recovery
• At-home support system (family, friends)
• Activity levels/mobility before surgery
• Body mass index

At this time, not all patients qualify for outpatient surgery. For those patients, our total joint surgeons are active members of the medical teams at Sinai, GBMC, and Northwest Hospitals where your total joint replacement can be performed with a brief hospital stay including inpatient rehabilitation. Click here to learn more about our Joint Replacement team.

Commitment, self-discipline, and support are essential to a successful outpatient recovery. It’s extremely important to follow your doctor’s orders to avoid complications or injury.

Are you ready to start your road to recovery? Contact us today to find out if outpatient joint replacement is right for you!