Day Case Joint Replacement

We believe in ‘Life is movement, movement is life’ concept. Many patients can safely go home on the day of their joint replacements. Early mobilisation and early home can satisfaction and enhance recovery. Some patients would like to spend night in their own bed in their own surrounding with their loved ones. It also reduces morbidity by reducing prolonged hospital stay after total joint arthroplasty.

Proper patient selection and education, multimodal pain relief protocols and a well-defined clinical pathway are all key for successful day-case arthroplasty

Who could be suitable for day case joint replacement?

Research article has shown the following criteria to select patients suitable for day-case arthroplasty

  • American Society of Anaesthesiologists class 2 or below
  • No mobility aids
  • Good social support
  • Haemoglobin of >13 g/dL
  • No previous history of blood clots in calf vein or lung.
  • No cardiopulmonary disease or diabetes
  • No long-term steroid usage
  • BMI < 40
  • No cognitive impairment
Knee replacement procedure

Your consultant will discuss these aspects with you in commonly used non - medical terms.

What is the pathway for hip and knee replacement?
  • Your consultant will discuss the suitability for a day case joint replacement
  • Once agreed, a pre assessment will be arranged along with an assessment by the physiotherapist.
  • You will be admitted on the day of the procedure.
  • Procedure ideally performed first on the list
  • Local anaesthetic will be injected around the wound for post operative pain relief and sometimes local anaesthetic injection around a nerve (nerve block)
  • Early mobilisation will be commenced after a lunch and drink.
  • Multimodal pain relief will be commenced. This means you will receive a combination of pain relief medications before you go home.
  • Xray of your new joint will be performed.
  • Blood sample will be taken for routine blood tests.
  • You will be able to go home when you would have passed all the physiotherapy steps including climbing stairs if you need to do this at home.
  • You will be provided with telephone numbers of the hospital team for advice and support.
  • You will be contacted by us next day and will be followed by regular calls until we see you back for wound check and further physiotherapy.