A prospective study was conducted on 128 patients who underwent total joint arthroplasty. Patient selection for POD 0 rehabilitation was random. On POD 0, 60 patients remained in bed, 51 were out of bed to a chair with nursing and 25 received physical therapy.
A total of 24 percent of the hip and 14 percent of the knee arthroplasties received POD 0 PT. Patients receiving PT on POD 0 reported an average of 2.8±0.8 days LOS, compared to patients receiving PT on POD 1 who reported an average of 3.7±1.8 days. Those who were out of bed to a chair with PT on POD 0 stayed an average of 2.9±0.6 days and those who ambulated with PT stayed an average of 2.8±0.8 days.
Read the AAOS news release on total joint arthroplasty hospital length of stay.
Read other coverage on total joint arthroplasty:
– AAOS: Economic Downturn’s Impact on Total Joint Replacement
– Study: Standardize Processes to Increase Total Joint Arthroplasty Patient Volume
