Outpatient Total Knee Replacement

What is Outpatient Total Knee Replacement?

Total knee replacement is the surgical treatment for knee arthritis, where the damaged knee is removed and replaced with an artificial knee implant. Traditionally performed as an inpatient procedure, total knee replacement surgery is now being conducted on an outpatient basis, allowing you to go home on the same day of the surgery.

This is made possible with recent advances such as improved perioperative anesthesia, minimally invasive techniques and initiation of rehabilitation protocols soon after surgery.

When is Outpatient Total Knee Replacement Suggested?

Outpatient total knee replacement is considered when your vital signs are stable, such as heart and respiratory rate, blood pressure, and temperature. Moreover, you need to be able to maintain pain control with oral medication and tolerate a regular diet before being discharged on the same day of surgery.

Outpatient Total Knee Replacement Procedure

The outpatient procedure is performed using advancements in anesthetic techniques like a femoral regional block that produces a centralized anesthetic effect and does not require a hospital stay for its effects to wear off, like traditional general anesthesia.

You will be lying on your back on the operating table and a tourniquet is applied to your upper thigh to reduce blood loss. The arthritic knee is approached through small incisions of three-to-four inches (compared to the eight- to twelve-inch-long incision used in the standard open surgical technique), ensuring that the surrounding muscles and tendons are not cut. This facilitates faster recovery. The damaged portions of the femur (thighbone) are trimmed at appropriate angles using specialized jigs and special guides to ensure a perfect fit of the implant. The next step involves the removal of the damaged area of the tibia (shinbone) and the back of the kneecap.

Custom-implants are created using 3-D modeling from a CT scan. This makes sure that the implant fits securely and requires minimal trimming of the surrounding soft tissues. The femoral component is attached to the end of the femur with bone cement. The tibial component is then secured to the end of the bone using bone cement. Your surgeon places a polyethylene liner that acts as an articular surface between the thighbone, shin implants and the back of the kneecap to ensure smooth gliding movement. With all the components in place, the knee joint is examined for range of motion.

All excess cement is removed and the entire joint is cleaned out with a sterile saline solution to prevent infection. Drains are inserted and the incision is closed. A surgical dressing or bandage is placed. The whole process takes just over an hour.

Dr. Chris Hoedt Orthopaedic Surgeon Hip & Knee Replacement Specialist

Dr. Hoedt specializes in hip and knee replacement and revisions (redos). His fellowship was in Adult Reconstruction at the University of Pennsylvania. He enjoys doing research and helps select articles for publication in some of the top adult reconstruction journals. Dr. Hoedt practiced in Nashville, TN for a couple of years before deploying with the US Army.

• About Dr. Hoedt
• Request An Appointment

What to Expect after Outpatient Total Knee Replacement

Several hours after surgery, you will be discharged from the hospital following a thorough examination to make sure you meet the requirements for discharge such as stable vital signs during exercise, ability to eat and take pain medicine by mouth. You generally have a two- to four-week recovery compared to the two-to-three-months needed to recover from traditional knee surgery.

Advantages of Outpatient Total Knee Replacement

The advantages of the outpatient procedure include:

• Minimal surgical dissection
• Shorter recovery period
• Shorter hospital stay
• Reduced postoperative pain
• Less blood loss during surgery
• Increased range of motion after surgery
• Less damage to surrounding tissues

Why Choose Dr. Hoedt for Outpatient Total Knee Replacement in New Bern, NC?

Outpatient total knee replacement requires careful patient selection and coordinated surgical and recovery planning. Dr. Chris Hoedt specializes in adult hip and knee reconstruction and evaluates each patient to determine whether same-day knee replacement is an appropriate and safe option.

Why Patients Choose Dr. Hoedt:

• Adult Reconstruction Expertise: Specializes in hip and knee reconstruction, including total knee replacement.
• Outpatient Knee Replacement: Provides same-day knee replacement for appropriately selected patients.
• Comprehensive Patient Evaluation: Considers your medical history, knee condition, overall health, and ability to recover safely at home.
• Modern Surgical Techniques: Uses contemporary surgical and perioperative approaches when appropriate.
• Focus on Early Mobility: Recovery plans are designed to support safe mobilisation and rehabilitation soon after surgery.
• Personalized Recovery Planning: Provides guidance regarding pain management, physical therapy, mobility, activity, and follow-up care.
• Focus on Patient Safety: Patients are assessed before discharge to ensure they meet appropriate recovery and stability criteria.
• Serving Eastern North Carolina: Provides specialized knee replacement care for patients in Greenville, Pitt County, and surrounding communities.

Outpatient Total Knee Replacement FAQs