Outpatient Joint Replacement
Wouldn’t it be nice to recover from joint replacement surgery safely and confidently in the comfort of your own home?
The Indiana Joint Replacement Institute is led by Dr. R. Michael Meneghini, a nationally renowned total joint surgeon who has over 19 years of surgical experience and participates in orthopaedic research to improve surgical techniques and improve outcomes for patients. The board certified joint replacement surgeons at the Indiana Joint Replacement Institute have been having great success with outpatient hip, knee, and shoulder replacement surgeries since 2014.
We’ve done extensive research on the benefits of same day surgery, published articles on safe outpatient surgery protocols in more than five peer reviewed publications, and our distinctive outpatient program has pioneered advancements in the field.
Our comprehensive outpatient surgery team follows each patient through their entire experience ─ from initial evaluation to anesthesia, surgery, discharge and recovery.
We treat everyone the same way we would treat our own family, taking the time to explain the benefits of outpatient surgery, if appropriate, and providing all the information and resources needed to streamline the process and ensure safe home recovery.
If you would like to schedule a consultation with a member of the Indiana Joint Replacement Institute team, please call 317-620-0232 or book an appointment online.
Why Choose Outpatient Joint Replacement Surgery?
For the right patient, outpatient surgery for total hip, total knee, partial knee, total shoulder, and reverse total shoulder replacement delivers excellent results while freeing up inpatient medical resources.
Indiana Joint Replacement Institute surgeons use the same setup ─ including equipment, team, technology, and implants ─ in either an ambulatory surgery center or outpatient hospital setting.
Our team considers medical condition, home situation, and social support factors to determine if a patient will be able to go home the day of surgery. Patients who have outpatient surgery at the hospital may stay overnight if needed. More complex procedures, including revision hip or knee replacements which have a higher risk of complications, will most likely require a hospital stay.
While ambulatory surgery centers are able to streamline the administrative process for easier check-in and discharge, all surgical and patient care protocols are the same at either location.
Who is a Good Candidate for Outpatient Joint Replacement Surgery?
Outpatient joint replacement surgery is a great option for patients who meet certain criteria:
- Healthy, with minimal medical issues
- Motivated to recover at home, rather than staying at the hospital
- Good home and social support
Patient safety is paramount. Dr. Meneghini and his team have developed an “Outpatient Arthroplasty Risk Assessment” tool which helps determine eligibility for outpatient joint replacement by assessing a patient’s risk level for early discharge.
We will not recommend outpatient surgery for a patient whose safety may be at risk by going home early. Patients who are good candidates for an outpatient procedure may still recover overnight in the hospital if it makes them more comfortable.
Benefits of Outpatient Joint Replacement
- Convenience – The primary benefit of outpatient joint replacement surgery is the ability to recover in the comfort and privacy of your own home.
- Comfort – The Indiana Joint Replacement team provides comprehensive educational materials to help you prepare to recover safely and comfortably at home. We are also available to answer questions before or after surgery.
- Cost Savings – Depending on your insurance plan, you may be able to lower out-of-pocket costs without an overnight hospital stay.
- Safe Environment – Outpatient complication rates are low, and patients retain the option of being admitted overnight if necessary.
Dedicated Outpatient Surgery Team
We are so dedicated to achieving consistently excellent outcomes for outpatient joint replacement surgeries that we have assembled a specially trained team to ensure patients proceed safely through the process.
We offer a complete outpatient joint replacement package:
- A perioperative medical specialist, trained to identify and meet the needs of patients who may be at risk for adverse effects following surgery, evaluates patients to make sure they are medically appropriate to go home the same day and follows their progress throughout.
- Dedicated anesthesiologists follow stringent joint replacement safety protocols.
- Technically skilled hip, knee, and shoulder replacement surgeons do what they do best every day.
- Our discharge team makes sure you are ready to return home safely with clear instructions.
Outpatient Surgery Facilities
Our state-of-the-art outpatient surgical facilities are set up specifically for safe hip, knee, and shoulder replacement surgeries that allow patients to go home the same day.
The same team, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, and medical support, does procedures in all locations:
- Terre Haute campus outpatient surgeries are done at Union Health Hospital and the Wabash Valley Surgery Center.
- In Fort Wayne, outpatient joint replacement procedures are done at the Surgery Center of Fort Wayne.
- In Indianapolis, outpatient joint replacement procedures are done St. Vincent Fisher, IU Saxony, and Indiana Orthopedic Institute surgery center (coming Spring 2025).
Outpatient Joint Replacement in Indiana
Indiana Joint Replacement Institute surgeons are pioneers in outpatient joint replacement surgery who share their research and safety protocols at conferences and events and in peer-reviewed medical publications.
Our comprehensive outpatient surgery team includes specially trained medical support specialists who assess and follow a patient’s progress from the initial evaluation to procedure, discharge and recovery.
All of our surgeons, who are board certified and fellowship trained in hip and knee replacement and board certified in shoulder replacement, value character, integrity, and perspective as much as technical skill, and we are committed to treating each patient as if they are a member of our own family.
To find out if you are a good candidate for outpatient joint replacement, you can schedule a consultation with a member of the Indiana Joint Replacement Institute team by calling 317-620-0232 or booking an appointment online.