A study presented at the AAOS Annual Meeting reveals physicians may be wise to permit at-home recovery for patients recovering from total joint replacement surgeries.
Here are five things to know:
1. Most physicians recommend patients recover at an in-patient rehabilitation facility after total hip replacement or total knee replacement surgery.
2. The study shows patients who live alone and opt to recover at home can do so effectively and safely. Lead author William J. Hozack, MD, of The Rothman Institute in Philadelphia, said, "Even more strikingly, patients were generally happy and content being in the comfort of their own home during recover."
3. Complications and unplanned clinical events were similar for patients living alone and those living with others:
- 10.9 percent of patients living alone had complications
- 9.5 percent of patients living with support had complications
4. Patients who recovered at home each save approximately $10,776, and were able to recover with familiar surroundings. There was no measurable difference in pain compared to those recovering in a facility.
5. Researchers believe physicians ought to trust home discharge for patients recovering from joint replacement who live alone and/or with others.
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