Surgical Suites of Coastal Virginia is the first independent ambulatory surgery center in Williamsburg to perform total joint replacement surgeries on an outpatient basis. Dr. Stephen Cummings, an orthopedic surgeon and owner/investor in the surgery center, recently performed two hip replacement procedures on patients who went home the same day.
More joint replacements are being performed as outpatient surgery.
The trend toward performing total joint replacement on an outpatient basis is starting to take hold. In 2017, only 15 percent of joint replacements were performed outpatient. This year, that figure is expected to grow to about 32 percent, according to Sg2, a healthcare consulting company that tracks care trends. By 2026, it is anticipated that nearly half of total joint cases will be outpatient.
“For the right patients, outpatient surgery means faster recovery and lower cost of care,” Cummings says. “When you have patients who are otherwise healthy with no complicating factors, outpatient joint replacement is the ideal solution.”
For 42-year-old John Henning, his work as a Land Surveyor requires walking and trekking up to 10 miles in a day. With joint pain impeding his ability to work, Henning had a specific goal to get back to work and activities that he enjoys while he was young enough to recover fully.
Beverly Crandell didn’t know what to expect. At 68 years of age, she had never undergone a major surgery other than having her tonsils removed at age 10. She was surprised but pleased to learn that she was a candidate for outpatient hip replacement. The idea of recovering at home was more appealing than a hospital stay.
Both patients were back home about eight hours after arrival at the surgery center. After prepping and undergoing the procedure, the team at Surgical Suites of Coastal Virginia got each patient up and walking, even practicing going up and down stairs before releasing them to home. Physical therapy was provided in the home and both patients are working hard toward their recovery with the support of family and friends.
“Recovery will take some time, but I’m determined to go back to work at 100 percent,” Henning says. He has physical therapy between two and three times a week and is looking forward to graduating off his walker and cane to walk independently.
For Crandell, her immediate goal is to use the stairs and access her second-floor bedroom soon.
“After dealing with hip issues for the last three years, my goal is to get back to where I was before the pain started,” she adds.
Even knowing they were the first outpatient joint replacement cases, both Henning and Crandell felt confident they were in good hands.
“The team [at Surgical Suites of Coastal Virginia] was very cohesive and their expertise gave me confidence,” Henning added. “Everyone from the front desk staff to all the nurses, anesthesiology and the surgery team was great.”
Are you a candidate for outpatient joint replacement?
It’s important to talk with your surgeon about the best option for you. Every patient is unique, but you might be a good candidate for outpatient joint replacement if:
· You are active. Patients who are active before surgery are likely to respond better to physical therapy and recover easier from surgery.
· You are motivated. Having a positive and realistic attitude about recovery will help keep you on track. Talk with your surgeon and your physical therapist about what to expect and set milestones to make recovery more manageable.
· You are in good health. The best outpatient candidates have no other health complications and take fewer medications.
· You have a strong support system at home. You will need support in the early days and weeks following surgery. It is important to have a network of family and friends who can help ease your recovery.