Northwell Offers Hip Replacements With No Hospital Stay

Northwell Health announced it is offering total hip replacement surgery that doesn't require an overnight hospital stay.

The procedure, which is performed at the health system's outpatient facility, Schwartz Ambulatory Center, is the same highly advanced surgery without the overnight stay.

“In order to have the best outcomes for same-day total joint replacement surgery, candidates for the procedure must be carefully selected,” said Nick Sgaglione, chair of orthopedic surgery at Northwell Health. “Patients are evaluated for several possible risk factors – associated medical issues, generalized health and fitness and how robust support is at home.”

Northwell said about 300,000 people undergo total hip replacement surgery each year - and the procedure is on a nationwide trend of being done in outpatient facilities.

According to Northwell, for same day hip replacement surgery, the direct anterior approach is used. This refers to the surgery being done from in front of the hip, which is a less invasive surgical technique and requires less muscle tissue dissection. The anterior approach puts patients at less risk for dislocation and promotes faster recovery than conventional hip replacement surgery.

Building on the proven outcomes in the Orthopedic Department at NSUH and from the health system’s orthopedic team, Northwell has established a program to provide the safest and most effective same day total joint replacement surgery. Clinicians provide extensive preoperative education, rapid recovery protocols and close communication with the multidisciplinary team caring for the patient. The first total hip replacement was done at Schwartz Ambulatory Center on Feb. 11, and this follows several total shoulder replacement surgeries which began in 2018.

“We are better able to optimally treat pain with select anesthetic blocks,” Sgaglione said. “After surgery, we have more effective alternatives to opioids for pain management and less side effects. Northwell is committed to providing the highest quality orthopedic surgery to our patients, while offering patients the comfort and familiarity of being home with family to recover.”

Northwell has plans to expand same day total joint replacement surgery, including hip, shoulder and knee, to other ambulatory surgery centers in its network. For more information about the Same Day Joint Program at the Schwartz Ambulatory Center, please call 516-562-4865, or online at: https://www.northwell.edu/orthopaedic-institute.