title: Does Accelerated Physical Therapy After Elective Primary Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Facilitate Early Discharge?
abstract: Accelerated physical therapy (PT) protocols are a potential mechanism for achieving early mobilization and safe discharge from hospital after elective primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We compared 2 groups of patients who underwent elective unilateral THA or TKA-those who started PT the same day (Day 0) and those who started PT the next day (Non-Day 0). The difference in mean (SD) hospital length of stay between the Day 0 and Non-Day 0 groups was not statistically significant for THA patients, 2.26 (0.11) days vs 2.50 (0.15) days (P = .270), or TKA patients, 2.28 (0.66) days vs 2.35 (0.75) days (P > .05). A higher proportion of THA patients in the Day 0 group (16%) vs the Non-Day 0 group (6%) achieved discharge goals on postoperative day 1 (P = .04). This effect was not present for TKA patients. Day-of-surgery PT helped THA patients (but not TKA patients) achieve discharge goals on postoperative day 1.
authors.forename: Azim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karim
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pulido
authors.affiliation: Houston Methodist Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX. sjincavo@houstonmethodist.org.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Incavo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities