Influence of the Operative Day on the Average Duration of Stay in Primary Hip and Knee Replacements

Reducing the length of stay (LOS) after primary arthroplasty is a relatively new target that arouses the attention of orthopedic surgeons in order to return home early through the fast recovery protocols but this goal is also wanted in public health for the sake of overall decline health spending in public costs.

Reducing the LOS after primary hip arthroplasty and knee is studied through many publications that found an LOS influenced by the own medical factors of patients (ref) However, no study to our knowledge research the influence of the operative day and the LOS.

For historical reasons, the organization of care is modified on the weekend (Saturday and Sunday) in particular by reducing the caregiver and also the lack of physical therapist to make the early postoperative get up (D0 or D1).

The hypothesis is that a patient operated the friday did not have the same care the first 48 hours that a patient who had surgery at the beggening of the week and that his recovery was therefore extended.

The investigator can also suppose that LOS was shorter for patients returning home for those who were transferred to a rehabilitation center or other structure.