Hip replacement is a surgical procedure in which the worn, damaged ball and socket of the joint are removed and replaced with artificial parts. Your doctor may consider a hip replacement if you have severe pain which limits daily activities and is not relieved with medications, injections, physical therapy, or other treatments. The goal of the surgery is to relieve pain and restore the alignment and function of your hip. Joint replacement provides the most dramatic relief of arthritis pain available to patients.

Traditionally, hip replacement surgery has been an inpatient surgical procedure. With the introduction of minimally invasive techniques, modern pain relief protocols, improved anesthetic techniques, and rapid rehabilitation, surgeons can perform hip and other total joint replacement procedures on an outpatient basis.

With outpatient hip surgery, patients are provided with the support of a visiting nurse and follow-up rehabilitation services. Patients can often return to normal activities quicker and with less pain than with traditional joint replacement surgery.

Other advantages of outpatient hip replacement surgery includes:

• Rapid recovery
• Decreased hospital stay
• Improved pain management protocols
• Early mobilization
• Careful home monitoring
• Fewer complications
• Improved outcomes
• Increased patient satisfaction
• Lower out-of-pocket costs

Outpatient hip replacement is the same as traditional hip replacement, but patients can go home on the same day of surgery. This allows patients to recover in the comfort of their own homes instead of overnight in a hospital.