Over the last few years, the number of outpatient joint replacementsurgeries performed annually has grown tremendously. For many patients, especially those with few medical comorbidities, outpatient joint replacement is an excellent option. If the patient is motivated enough to go home after surgery and follows the correct protocols, an outpatient joint replacement could be the better option.
Here are the biggest reasons why outpatient joint replacement surgery is becoming so popular.
Patients can go home soon after Surgery
Outpatient joint replacement patients can go home the same day as their surgery. In some cases, they may go home the following day, which is still considered outpatient. However, outpatient joint replacement surgery is recommended only if patient is highly motivated to follow the right protocol and recover properly at home.
Fewer Complications
Common complications after a joint replacement surgery arise due to patients spending too much time in one position during recovery. Outpatient joint replacement surgery encourages patients to start moving earlier than after inpatient surgery. As a result, such patients are at a much lower risk of developing blood clots and pneumonia.
Less possibility of Infection
Since outpatient joint replacement surgery patients spend less time in the hospital, there is less risk of hospital-acquired infections.
Less Expensive
Outpatient joint replacement surgeries typically cost half as muchas inpatient procedures.
These are not the only benefits of outpatient joint replacement surgery but this clearly shows why more individuals are choosing an outpatient approach to joint replacement.
