Same-day hip and knee replacement

What same-day means

“Same-day” or “outpatient” joint replacement means you have surgery and go home that same day, without an overnight stay. It is the same operation as a traditional joint replacement. Better anesthesia and pain control, shorter surgery times, and getting up to walk within hours of surgery are what make it possible.

Dr. Ward uses a quadriceps-sparing approach for knee replacement when your anatomy allows, and the anterior approach for hip replacement, with muscles not cut to enter the hip. Many of his patients go home the same day after about 2–4 hours in “phase two” recovery. An overnight stay is arranged if needed.

Total knee replacement · Total hip replacement · Knee approaches

Is same-day right for you?

Dr. Ward and the anesthesia team decide together with you. National orthopedic groups list these general factors:

General guidance from AAOS OrthoInfo and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS).

Where surgery happens

Dr. Ward performs hip and knee replacements at two hospitals: Oro Valley Hospital and Northwest Medical Center, based on your preference. Same-day patients go home from the hospital after recovery; if you need to stay overnight, you stay at the same hospital. Alison, the surgery scheduler, will call with available dates. Each hospital has its own pre-op packet with a map.

Having surgery at a hospital means the full hospital team is there if you need it, whether you go home the same day or stay the night. All pre-op packets are on the Pre-Op Packets page.

Medicare and insurance

• Medicare removed total knee replacement (2018) and total hip replacement (2020) from its “inpatient only” list, so Medicare can pay for them whether you go home the same day (hospital outpatient) or stay overnight (inpatient).^3,4 Starting in 2026, Medicare began phasing out its “inpatient only” list so more musculoskeletal procedures can be done on an outpatient basis when your surgeon decides it is appropriate.⁵
• Whether your stay is billed as outpatient or inpatient can change what you owe.
• Medicare Advantage and private plans have their own rules. Call your plan to ask about your deductible, copay, and coverage for outpatient versus inpatient joint replacement.
• Our office obtains any authorization your insurance needs for surgery. Facility and anesthesia charges are billed separately from the surgeon; contact the facility about those fees.

What the day looks like

1. The night before: nothing to eat or drink, and no smoking, after midnight. Shower with antibacterial soap the night before and the morning of surgery.
2. Medicines: follow the stop list in your pre-op packet. Weight-loss pills stop 24 hours before surgery; weight-loss injections stop 7 days before. Tylenol is okay.
3. Pre-op: a loved one can be with you. Dr. Ward and the anesthesia team meet you there. Dr. Ward generally recommends a nerve block and a spinal anesthetic.
4. Surgery: usually 60–90 minutes. Dr. Ward injects the joint with numbing medicine that gives relief for 2 to 3 days, and calls the person you designate when surgery is finished.
5. Recovery: about 30–45 minutes in the recovery room, then 2–4 hours in phase two. You get up and walk with the nurses and physical therapy, and you need to urinate before going home.
6. Going home: your driver takes you home. Keep a walker in the car to help you when you get home.

The first nights at home

More: Recovery timeline · Pre-op packets · Falls and bone strength

Sources

1. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, OrthoInfo. Outpatient Total Joint Replacement.
2. American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. Position Statement on Outpatient Joint Replacement (PDF).
3. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CY 2018 hospital outpatient final rule fact sheet (CMS-1678-FC): total knee replacement removed from the inpatient-only list.
4. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CY 2020 hospital outpatient final rule fact sheet (CMS-1717-FC): total hip replacement removed from the inpatient-only list.
5. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CY 2026 hospital outpatient final rule fact sheet (CMS-1834-FC).
6. Photo: RDNE Stock project, Pexels (Pexels License).

Practice details on this page come from Dr. Ward’s pre-op packets, post-op packets, and website. This page is general education, not medical advice for your specific condition.