Newport News, VA (Friday, March 22, 2019) – On Wednesday, March 20th, Dr. John Aldridge, board certified orthopaedic surgeon with Hampton Roads Orthopaedics Spine & Sports Medicine, performed the first outpatient total hip replacement at Mary Immaculate Ambulatory Surgery Center.
Outpatient surgery, also called “same day” or ambulatory surgery, occurs when the patient is expected to go home the same day as the surgery. The direct anterior approach to total hip replacement can require a 1-3 night stay in the hospital, but if the patient is in overall good health and have the right support system at home then it isn’t always necessary.
The orthopaedic surgical community is moving towards outpatient surgery for total joint replacements for a multitude of reasons. The world of orthopaedics has advanced to a place where we can effectively and safely provide total hip replacement for patients. The benefits of outpatient surgery include reducing the risk of infection, improving patient satisfaction, and the opportunity to begin their recovery at home on the same day.
“I am very excited and proud to have performed the first total hip replacement at Mary Immaculate Ambulatory Surgery Center,” says Dr. John Aldridge. “Often time’s people think that joint replacement surgery has to involve a long hospital stay and that isn’t the case anymore. With the innovation of new technology and the advancement of surgical techniques we are now able to perform outpatient total hip replacements safely and successfully.”
The patient selected for the first procedure was Mr. Hutchinson, who is an active and otherwise healthy 61 years old. Mr. Hutchinson states that “Since breaking my hip when I was 17 years old, I have been living with hip problems and I couldn’t deal with it any longer.”
Mr. Hutchinson who broke his hip in a motorcycle accident had gone through a couple surgeries previously to try and repair the damage. The worst part about the whole experience he stated “I had to stay in the hospital for a few days after each surgery. All I wanted to do was be out of the hospital doing the things I like to do and in the comfort of my own home.”
When Dr. Aldridge proposed to Mr. Hutchinson the opportunity to have his hip replacement surgery in the outpatient center, he jumped at the chance. “I thought why not; I’ve got nothing to lose. The surgery process was a lot more convenient and no more risky than having my surgery done inpatient.”
“The surgery was a great success, with no complications and the procedure was finished in 40 minutes. Then instead of having Mr. Hutchinson stay over-night at the hospital, we were able to send him home to sleep in his own bed,” stated Dr. Aldridge.
Now, Mr. Hutchinson is home and he is able mobile with little pain.
Dr. Aldridge is excited to continue moving towards performing more outpatient total hip replacements for eligible patients in the future.
