The uptick in robotic procedures and increasing demand for same-day surgeries are two outpatient joint replacement trends that surgeons are watching.
These two orthopedic surgeons connected with Becker’s to share their insights to where joint replacements are today and where they are heading.
Ask Orthopedic Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to orthopedic surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting orthopedic care. Becker’s invites all orthopedic surgeon and specialist responses.
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Please send responses to Cameron Cortigiano at ccortigiano@beckershealthcare.com by 5 p.m. CST on Oct. 20.
Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What trends in outpatient joint replacement are you watching most closely?
Ayaz Biviji, MD. Orthopedic Surgeon at Providence St. Joseph Hospital (Orange, Calif.): The trends I’m watching most closely in outpatient joint replacement include the growing adoption of robotic technology and the resulting improvements in early patient outcomes, continued advancements in perioperative pain management and enhanced operating room efficiencies designed to accommodate increasing patient volumes.
Hristo Piponov, MD. Adult Reconstruction Orthopedic Surgeon at Endeavor Health Orthopaedic & Spine Institute (Chicago): We are seeing a higher demand for same-day discharge surgery, which aligns with recent publications and observations. Hip and knee joint replacement procedures are more common nowadays with constantly growing trends. I think that patients have access to more information currently, showing that same-day discharge-to-home is possible and safe. But is it appropriate for everyone? Absolutely not! There are certain predictors such as body build, mobility level, home conditions, social support and more that help surgeons and patients make an appropriate decision.
