Rapid mobilization decreases length-of-stay in joint replacement patients

Background: Physiotherapy after total joint replacement enhances postoperative recovery. Implementing a pathway to include earlier postoperative mobilization can reduce the hospital length-of-stay as well as cost. Questions: Does a rapid rehabilitation program consisting ofphysical therapy on the day of surgery affect the hospital length-of-stay on patients undergoing either total hip or total knee replacements? Is there a difference in the effectiveness of rapid rehabilitation between patients undergoing Total Hip and Total Knee Replacements? Can these patients tolerate day of surgery physical therapy sessions? Patients and Methods: Nine-hundred hip and knee arthroplasty patients were divided into two groups for analysis. Group 1 participated in a rapid rehabilitation physical therapy program that began with physical therapists in the recovery room. Group 2 received a standard physical therapy protocol starting the day after surgery. Progression with rehabilitation was followed, and length of hospital stay between the two groups was compared. Results: Total length-of-stay was 3.9 days for the rapid rehabilitation group and was 4.4 days (p < 0.001) for the standard therapy group. We found the rapid rehabilitation group had a significantly shorter length-of-stay than patients who began therapy on postoperative day one. In addition to decreased length-of-stay, rapid rehabilitation also resulted in direct savings considering fewer hospital resources were utilized over the decreased time in-house. Conclusions: Rapid mobilization of total joint replacement patients in the recovery room can be accomplished safely and reduces the overall length of hospital stay for over 70% of patients.