In the “old days,” after knee replacement surgery, you’d have spent the better part of three weeks in the hospital recuperating. In the last decade, post-op stays declined dramatically to a maximum of two days – in most cases.

But what if you could avoid a hospital stay altogether?

Premier Orthopaedics is excited to announce that Premier at Exton Surgery Center was recently granted approval for same-day unilateral total knee replacement. Jonathan Garino, M.D. performs the procedure, and will eventually be joined by additional Premier joint replacement surgeons as demand increases. All commercial insurances and Medicare programs will be accepted.

“Our surgicenter is 100 percent orthopaedics,” Dr. Garino says. “Everyone who works there is an expert in orthopaedics; it’s all they know.” He adds that patient satisfaction and outcomes will remain at the highest level possible, as they’ve traditionally been, as a result of stringent preop, post-op and discharge protocols; lower risk of infection; and impeccable after-care programs.

To be a candidate for the procedure, individuals must be in good health with no significant existing medical problems. Your doctor will help determine if joint replacement surgery is right for you, and from there, whether the outpatient procedure fits best. “We look at many factors ahead of time,” Dr. Garino says. “Healthy patients who can care for themselves once home are the best candidates for this type of procedure.”

Patients undergoing outpatient knee replacement will spend approximately eight hours at the surgery center on the day of the procedure. Once complete, and if their blood pressure is stable, they will be discharged to physical therapy – which is located on site. Before released home, patients must be able to get in and out of bed, in and out of the bathroom, walk 100 feet, negotiate stairs, and get in and out of a car.

The benefits of outpatient joint replacement surgery extend far beyond the procedure itself. Besides a lower risk of infection and readmission, patients are typically better able to manage their pain and are more mobile immediately after surgery.

Premier at Exton Surgery Center is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) – the gold standard for patient safety and quality of care. “We received JCAHO’s highest rating,” Dr. Garino says.

“This is just another example of Premier providing the state-of-the-art orthopaedic care that our patients deserve.”

To learn more about knee pain, visit our website. To reach the office of Jonathan Garino, M.D., call 610-644-6900.