All primary hip and knee arthroplasty patients who meet the criteria will be put on our Day Case surgery pathway, unless you are deemed not suitable by your medical team.
Day case means you will have your joint replaced and go home on the day of surgery, or early the day after.
Your doctors will identify if you are suitable for this pathway and will discuss this with you during your outpatient appointment.
If you haven’t had a day case/ambulatory care procedure before, here are some common questions to help you prepare. If you have further questions, please contact your medical team.
What does Ambulatory care mean? Your clinician and nursing team may refer to the Day Case pathway as Ambulatory care or 23 hour stay. This simply means you’re receiving same day care and will likely be discharged in 23 hours.
What happens if I'm not ready to be discharged in 23 hours?
If you're not safe to be discharged, then we will keep you in hospital. Most people recover better from home but if we need to keep an eye on you for a little longer we will do so.
How is pain relief managed for day case surgeries? You get exactly the same pain relief, regardless of if you stay in hospital or go home on the same day. You'll be given pain relief and we’ll give you the information you need to safely take this medication at home before you are discharged.
What happens if I have a problem when I am discharged? Before you are discharged we give you contact details for a ward team you can contact overnight, so if there are any concerns you’ll have someone to speak to.
Will I get a visit from the ROCS ? If you live within 25 miles of the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital you’ll have the option of the Royal Orthopaedic Community Service (ROCS) coming to visit you the next day after discharge. A member of the ROCS team will visit you in hospital before you are discharged so you’ll be able to ask them questions then too, and if you need help during working hours they’ll be able to visit you in your home.
I'm worried I'm not suitable for the Day Case Pathway – is it right for me? There is a criteria for this Pathway that your consultant will take you through. Not everyone is suitable and it's a decision made by both you and your medical team. You can rest assured that you won't be sent home if it’s not the right thing for you.
Is this a new pathway? This is a really well-known pathway across the NHS, and we’ve been doing this at the ROH for many years too. It's very proven, safe and routine.
How quickly will I recover from my surgery? Everyone's recovery is different, but it can take 12-18 months to fully recover from a hip or knee op. You'll really be starting to notice healing between 6-12 weeks, depending on your level of fitness before the operation, and the type of surgery you have had. The best thing you can do to help is move regularly, exercise regularly, and take your pain killers as you're advised.
What about wellbeing, will I feel low in mood?
It's very normal to feel low in mood after hip or knee surgery and your appetite may be reduced initially. You might find your sleep is different and can be disrupted in the early days of your recovery. It can take a while for your sleep to return to normal, but if this continues to be a problem, please contact your GP.
When am I allowed to drive following surgery?
You won’t be able to drive for a while after your surgery, so some patients feel a little isolated if they’re not able to leave the house confidently right after surgery, but things will improve. If you need help or you feel like things aren’t improving, contact your GP.
