A patient of Mr Kosuge recently underwent a knee replacement and was successfully discharged from hospital the day after his procedure. Please see a video* of his progress as an in-patient at Rivers Hospital.

Early discharge from hospital following total joint replacement surgery has started to gain acceptance. Prolonged stay in hospital can increase risks of hospital-acquired complications and with the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a further reason to encourage early rehabilitation and discharge from the hospital environment.

In select patients with the correct education and support, along with a dedicated surgical, anaesthetic and rehabilitation team, it is very possible to get patients home early. The average length of stay in UK hospitals is between 3 to 5 days but Mr Kosuge is working with his patients and team to reduce this. It is no longer uncommon for patients to be discharged from hospital the day after their hip or knee replacements.

It is important for patients to understand that on-going support is present, in the form of rehabilitation that continues on an out-patient basis. Patients are reviewed regularly by the physiotherapy team after discharge from hospital. In addition, there is a mechanism by which patients can contact the ward for advice or queries.

*Patient consent was obtained for publication of this video.

An unprecedented number of orthopaedic patients have been affected by the COVID19 pandemic. The cancellation of routine non-emergency orthopaedic services has led to delay in diagnosis, investigations and management of patients. Services are resuming, but in a very selective and limited fashion due to resources still being diverted to ongoing COVID19 planning and management. Patients with painful conditions are struggling and those waiting for an operation are having to face the reality of waiting longer than in pre-COVID19 times.

Mr Kosuge is doing his best to try and re-establish his practice, both on the NHS and privately in order to help his patients as much as possible.

British Orthopaedic Association - patient information regarding COVID19.

Joint School app - a free, digital service aimed at patients who are waiting to have a hip or knee replacement.

Mr Kosuge recommends the above patient resources which he hopes will help patients in the interim.