Same-Day Joint Replacement Surgery Begins in UK

Same day hip joint replacement has become a common procedure in the United States, but Chris Walker, a 71-year-old retired electrician, was the first person in the United Kingdom to have hip replacement surgery in a day.

Walker was back home ten hours following his operation at Castle Hill Hospital, Hull, which is experimenting with fast-track hip and knee replacement surgery.

“It’s been great, ” said Walker. “I had a lot of advice and support before the operation and afterwards, both in the hospital, and since I’ve been home.”

Consultant orthopedic and trauma surgeon Elizabeth Moulder said, “It has been a gradual change in attitudes over recent years. When hip replacements were first done patients would be in bed for two weeks post-surgery, but there has been increasing awareness that early mobility reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. So long as we can guarantee they are getting the same care and physiotherapy support in or out of hospital, then people would much rather be at home.”

Patients selected to take part in the trial are otherwise fit and healthy and go through intensive pre-op physiotherapy. Each patient leaves the hospital with a tablet computer with dedicated rehabilitation and recovery information. If they have any problems with pain relief or mobility, patients will also be able to Skype their hospital team.

The Furlong hip replacement implant being used is manufactured by JRI Orthopaedics at its manufacturing facility in Sheffield.