Bernard Ross, CEO at Sky Medical Technology02.29.24
Orthopedic surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures in the US, with an estimated seven million orthopedic surgeries performed every year and a high success rate of up to 98%. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are shown to be among the most common forms of orthopedic surgery, typically as a last resort when alternative treatments, such as medication, massage therapy, physical therapy, or simple lifestyle changes are ineffective.
Orthopedic surgery is often well received by patients; however, it is not uncommon for patients to experience postoperative challenges such as edema (swelling), pain, and discomfort. While these side effects are a part of the natural healing process, they can also delay recovery time, negatively impacting the patient experience.
Patients can experience edema for up to six months or longer following surgery. Although a normal outcome post-surgery, edema can be an indication of a more serious underlying condition such as an infection or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Without relevant treatment, approximately 80% of orthopedic surgical patients will develop DVT (according to National Blood Clot Alliance: Stop The Clot), and between 10% - 20% will develop pulmonary embolism (PE), which can be life-threatening. Therefore, patients must understand that the recovery process is crucial in preventing more serious complications.
The level of 30-day hospital readmissions or unplanned return to operating room (UROR) in the US following orthopedic surgery is reported between 4 and 7%. Patients can be readmitted with serious medical or surgical complications of the original hospitalization, which can be costly and harmful. In other cases, patients may return to the hospital if they are not recovering as well or quickly as they should. For 90-day readmissions for THA and TKA, payments can range from an estimated $7,000 to $15,000 depending on Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) complications.
These protocols have been proven to accelerate recovery, enhance pain management, and reduce healthcare costs. However, for ERAS to be effective, healthcare professionals and parents must be able and willing to engage with one another. Patients must actively participate in their care, while staff should communicate key information to ensure everyone is aligned on the necessary protocols.
Medtech, which is simple, safe, and easy to apply, provides an appealing alternative for healthcare professionals and patients that can enhance recovery by reducing postoperative complications, like edema, to help manage pain and accelerate a patient's journey to mobility.
For example, a clinically proven non-invasive, wearable device uses the body’s own nerve signals to promote blood flow in the leg. Through a mechanism of using neuromuscular electrostimulation technology, inducing muscle contractions, and stimulating the common peroneal nerve, blood flow is increased to 60% of walking without a patient having to move, and with no change to heart rate or blood pressure. This increased blood flow can not only reduce edema to support recovery but also help prevent life-threatening complications associated with recovery - such as DVT and PE.
Such a device is being introduced into care pathways to enable shorter hospital stays and enable patient rehabilitation to begin sooner, even supporting recovery in the home setting for able patients.
Implementing Medtech into ERAS protocols will help healthcare professionals maximize the potential of the recovery process, helping to reduce complications in the 30 and 90-day postoperative periods. This contributes to reduced emergency department visits and saves time, resources, and costs.
Orthopedic surgery is often well received by patients; however, it is not uncommon for patients to experience postoperative challenges such as edema (swelling), pain, and discomfort. While these side effects are a part of the natural healing process, they can also delay recovery time, negatively impacting the patient experience.
Recovery, Risks, and Reducing the Impact
Edema is the body’s natural response following orthopedic surgery to promote healing. To prevent infection and help tissue recover after the procedure, the body will build up additional fluid around the affected area in the tissue. This prevents infection and also aids recovery. However, it can limit mobility and cause pain for some patients.Patients can experience edema for up to six months or longer following surgery. Although a normal outcome post-surgery, edema can be an indication of a more serious underlying condition such as an infection or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Without relevant treatment, approximately 80% of orthopedic surgical patients will develop DVT (according to National Blood Clot Alliance: Stop The Clot), and between 10% - 20% will develop pulmonary embolism (PE), which can be life-threatening. Therefore, patients must understand that the recovery process is crucial in preventing more serious complications.
The Financial Burden on Patients and Health Systems
Orthopedic surgery can place a financial burden on the healthcare system and many families in the US, with TKA costing roughly $19,995 without health insurance and more complicated procedures such as a total hip replacement surgery costing up to $40,000 for an uninsured patient. The average length of stay following orthopedic surgery is approximately three days, which can cost around USD $8,226 on average, indicating the proportion of costs associated with hospital recovery.The level of 30-day hospital readmissions or unplanned return to operating room (UROR) in the US following orthopedic surgery is reported between 4 and 7%. Patients can be readmitted with serious medical or surgical complications of the original hospitalization, which can be costly and harmful. In other cases, patients may return to the hospital if they are not recovering as well or quickly as they should. For 90-day readmissions for THA and TKA, payments can range from an estimated $7,000 to $15,000 depending on Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) complications.
Sharing New Solutions
To optimize patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs, healthcare professionals should look beyond medicine and search for new ways to treat post-operative complications. Fortunately, new initiatives such as Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols - otherwise known as “Rapid Recovery”, “accelerated recovery”, or “fast track”, can provide patients with quick relief of symptoms and enable earlier mobilization, shorter hospital stays, and a quicker return to life as normal.These protocols have been proven to accelerate recovery, enhance pain management, and reduce healthcare costs. However, for ERAS to be effective, healthcare professionals and parents must be able and willing to engage with one another. Patients must actively participate in their care, while staff should communicate key information to ensure everyone is aligned on the necessary protocols.
The Power of Medtech
As ERAS methods are increasingly adopted into medical practices, healthcare professionals will begin to look to innovation to support patients through the recovery process. Medical technology (Medtech) can reduce postoperative complications, as well as significantly reduce costs for patients.Medtech, which is simple, safe, and easy to apply, provides an appealing alternative for healthcare professionals and patients that can enhance recovery by reducing postoperative complications, like edema, to help manage pain and accelerate a patient's journey to mobility.
For example, a clinically proven non-invasive, wearable device uses the body’s own nerve signals to promote blood flow in the leg. Through a mechanism of using neuromuscular electrostimulation technology, inducing muscle contractions, and stimulating the common peroneal nerve, blood flow is increased to 60% of walking without a patient having to move, and with no change to heart rate or blood pressure. This increased blood flow can not only reduce edema to support recovery but also help prevent life-threatening complications associated with recovery - such as DVT and PE.
Such a device is being introduced into care pathways to enable shorter hospital stays and enable patient rehabilitation to begin sooner, even supporting recovery in the home setting for able patients.
Embracing Innovation to Enhance Patient Outcomes
The benefits of Medtech adoption address many existing barriers in the current delivery of orthopedic care - speeding up recovery means that patient rehabilitation can begin sooner, reducing the chance of infections developing, and reducing pain faster. This means patients can become mobile sooner, helping to prevent the risk of blood clots. The quicker and more effectively patients can recover, the fewer post-op hospital visits will be required, saving considerable patient costs. Medical devices that are suitable for use in the home setting will require less time and resources from healthcare services.Implementing Medtech into ERAS protocols will help healthcare professionals maximize the potential of the recovery process, helping to reduce complications in the 30 and 90-day postoperative periods. This contributes to reduced emergency department visits and saves time, resources, and costs.