Outpatient Orthopaedic Surgeries: Benefits, Safety, and What to Expect in 2025 By Dr. Kashyap Solanki
Updated: Oct 9
Many orthopaedic operations no longer need an overnight stay. With modern anaesthesia, minimally invasive techniques and good pain control, suitable patients go home the same day. Day-care surgery is safe when the right patient is matched with the right procedure.
Common Day-Care Procedures
Carpal tunnel release: 15 to 30 minutes in theatre; back to desk work in 3 to 7 days.
Trigger finger release: 10 to 20 minutes; desk work in 2 to 5 days.
Ganglion cyst removal: 20 to 40 minutes; desk work in 3 to 7 days.
Knee arthroscopy (meniscus trim): 30 to 60 minutes; desk work in 1 to 2 weeks.
Removal of plates or screws: 30 to 60 minutes; desk work in 1 to 2 weeks.
Simple fracture fixation (selected cases): 30 to 90 minutes; return depends on the injury.
Larger operations such as ACL reconstruction or joint replacement usually need one or more nights in hospital, though some centres offer shorter stays for selected patients.
Benefits
Recover in the comfort of home
Lower risk of hospital-acquired infection
Lower overall cost
Less disruption to work and family
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Generally healthy, or with conditions such as diabetes and blood pressure well controlled
A responsible adult available to take you home and stay for the first 24 hours
Living within reasonable travel distance of the hospital
Comfortable managing pain with tablets
What to Expect on the Day
Before: fasting instructions, a pre-operative check and consent.
Anaesthesia: often a local or regional block, sometimes with light sedation.
Surgery: a short, minimally invasive procedure.
Recovery area: 1 to 4 hours of monitoring until you can drink, pass urine and walk safely.
Discharge: written instructions, medicines and a follow-up date.
When to Call the Hospital
Pain not controlled by prescribed medicines
Bleeding through the dressing
Fever, or redness and discharge from the wound
Numbness that lasts beyond the expected time after a nerve block
Frequently Asked Questions
Is day-care surgery less safe? No. For suitable patients and procedures, outcomes and complication rates are similar to an inpatient stay.
Will insurance cover day-care surgery? Most Indian health policies cover listed day-care procedures. Check your policy's day-care list.
Ask Dr Kashyap Solanki whether your procedure can be done as day care. Book at Amardeep Nursing Home, Andheri East, Mumbai. Call or WhatsApp +91 8108171796.
About Dr. Kashyap Solanki
Orthopaedic Surgeon – Andheri, Mumbai.
Dr. Kashyap Solanki specializes in hip and knee replacement, robotic-assisted knee surgery, and joint preservation procedures like HTO, arthroscopy, and ligament reconstruction. He is also known for performing complex revision joint replacements and managing challenging upper and lower limb fractures. With a focus on precision and patient-centered care, Dr. Solanki helps restore mobility and improve quality of life through advanced orthopaedic solutions.
Comments