Outpatient Knee Replacements

Total knee replacement is the surgical procedure used to treat advanced knee arthritis. During this procedure the damaged knee is removed and replaced with an artificial knee implant. Total knee replacement surgery has traditionally been performed as an inpatient procedure, requiring an overnight stay in the hospital. But recent advances including minimally invasive techniques, improved perioperative anesthesia, innovative postoperative pain management and accelerated rehabilitation protocols have enabled Dr. Wainer to begin performing the surgeries on an outpatient basis. For qualified patients, this allows them to go home the same day as the surgery as long as: their vital signs are stable during the post-operative physical therapy session; they can tolerate a regular diet; and their pain can be controlled with oral medication. You may be considered as a candidate for an outpatient knee replacement procedure if: • Dr. Wainer has determined that you need a knee replacement • You do not have severe bone loss around the knee • You have no prior history of open surgery on that knee • Your weight is proportional to your height