Outpatient joint replacements are becoming increasingly popular as patients desire to be home during their recovery process. However, joint replacements are complex procedures and require months of post-operative care, including physical therapy. The Orthopaedic Institute and its team of dedicated physicians have helped lead the way in making these procedures available on an outpatient basis, improving patient outcomes across the board.

Managing pain with a variety of different modalities, such as medications and nerve blocks, have made this outpatient procedure possible. Mark A. Petty, MD, says that multimodal pain management plays an important role in his and The Orthopaedic Institute’s success in performing these outpatient surgeries.

What outpatient joint replacements are available?

Joint replacements are surgical interventions to help patients with advanced arthritis or related conditions regain function of their joints. Hips, knees and shoulders are among the most common joints that may need to be replaced during one’s lifetime.

There are different methods for performing joint replacements and different subtypes of replacements, depending on the severity of the disease and other associated factors. For example, knee replacements may be total or partial replacements and can be performed with a robotic-assist or not. Shoulder replacements may be “anatomic” or “reverse” replacements depending on the status of the surrounding tissues and the severity of disease. Hip replacements can be done on an outpatient basis using either anterior or a posterior approach. Your orthopaedic physician will speak with you directly to figure out the best joint replacement surgery option for you and your condition.

How long has Dr. Petty been performing outpatient joint replacements?

Dr. Petty is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a special area of interest in joint replacements. In fact, his most common procedures are total joint replacements and arthroscopic surgeries of the knee, hip and shoulder.

He has been practicing joint replacement surgeries on an outpatient basis for over 8 years with high levels of patient satisfaction. He finds that patients are happier going home post-surgery and are able to follow their post-operative care just as effectively as in the hospital.

What are the benefits of outpatient joint replacement?

One of the major benefits of outpatient surgery at this time is a lower risk of COVID-19 exposure. Especially for the at-risk population, outpatient surgeries are the safer option to keep them and their family members healthy.

Besides the lower risk of exposure, there are tons of other benefits for outpatient surgeries. Improved patient outcomes is one of the major reasons physicians opt for the outpatient option. Being able to go home after surgery and move around on their own is an essential step in regaining joint function.

In a hospital setting, patients are less likely to move on their own with hospital staff bringing them food and catering to their needs. At home, patients are encouraged to move around with the help of their support system. This helps the patient regain mobility, flexibility and function at a safe and reasonable level.

The patient will enter physical therapy following their surgery to learn safe exercises and stretches for their joint. Physical therapy continues for at least 4-6 weeks and is usually continued on an outpatient basis with a few visits to outpatient therapy per week. Home health care is occasionally prescribed for the first few therapy visits if necessary.

Contact us

If you’re interested in learning more about outpatient joint replacements, request an appointment with Dr. Petty or another TOI physician at The Orthopaedic Institute. Begin your comprehensive evaluation to determine the right treatment plan for you and your condition: https://www.toi-health.com/appointment/.