Outpatient Total Knee Replacement
What is Outpatient Total Knee Replacement?
Total knee replacement is the surgical treatment for knee arthritis, where the damaged knee is removed and replaced with an artificial knee implant. Traditionally performed as an inpatient procedure, total knee replacement surgery is now being conducted on an outpatient basis, allowing you to go home on the same day of the surgery.
This is made possible with recent advances such as improved perioperative anesthesia, minimally invasive techniques and initiation of rehabilitation protocols soon after surgery.
When is Outpatient Total Knee Replacement Suggested?
The vast majority of patients are now candidates for outpatient total knee replacement. The main criteria are that patients are healthy enough to undergo the surgery and go home the same day and that they have assistance at home to help them through their recovery. Dr. Steele has a robust process to determine if patients are candidates for outpatient total knee replacement.
Outpatient Total Knee Replacement Procedure
Outpatient total knee replacement requires multidisciplinary coordination between the surgeon, anesthesiologist and nurses at the hospital/surgery center as well as a coordinated plan for monitoring patients postoperatively. Dr. Steele and his team have a strong outpatient protocol in place to manage patients safely throughout this process. The surgery is generally performed under spinal anesthesia to minimize the amount of pain medication the patient requires on the day of surgery. The surgery is performed efficiently and minimally invasively to make the early recovery easier.
What to Expect after Outpatient Total Knee Replacement
Several hours after surgery, you will be discharged from the hospital following a thorough examination to make sure you meet the requirements for discharge such as stable vital signs during exercise, ability to eat and take pain medicine by mouth. Patients are given detailed discharge instructions and start physical therapy within days of surgery.
Advantages of Outpatient Total Knee Replacement
The advantages of the outpatient procedure include:
- Minimal surgical dissection
- Shorter recovery period
- Shorter hospital stay
- Reduced postoperative pain
- Less blood loss during surgery
- Increased range of motion after surgery
- Less damage to surrounding tissues
