Getting back on the bike after same-day knee surgery

When knee replacement surgery was recommended, Gary was referred to Dr. Jesse Wolfstadt, Orthopaedic Surgeon at Mount Sinai Hospital. It was during his initial consultation that it was suggested Gary was a good candidate for same-day discharge after his surgery.

Ten years ago, a knee replacement surgery required a patient to be in the hospital for up to 10 days but continuous advances have shortened the time tremendously.

“We were already on a path to offering same-day discharge for our patients,” notes Dr. Wolfstadt. “With the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to quickly bring this procedure to the forefront as a way to deliver life-enhancing services to patients while minimizing risk and reducing hospital stays.”

Now, the full roster of orthopaedic surgeons specializing in knee replacements offer same-day discharge surgery, supported by a team that includes anesthesiologists, physiotherapists, pain management specialists and more. This provides healthy, motivated patients like Gary an opportunity to return home that same evening.

“I felt supported 110 per cent the whole way,” says Gary. “When I returned home, Dr. Wolfstadt was checking in on me, as well as others from my care team. Everybody was very willing to answer my questions.” He has also been doing virtual physiotherapy with Sinai Health’s Bridgepoint Active Healthcare, which has been helpful with healing and motivating him to keep working on his strength.

Dr. Josh Gleicher, Anesthesiologist at Mount Sinai Hospital says that being able to offer this procedure is due to the collaboration and unique services of many clinicians at the hospital. “Our goal now is to have patients mobilized within two hours of their surgery,” he says. “That wouldn’t be possible without careful anesthesia, consults with our pain management specialists and pharmacists, the attention of our post-surgery physiotherapists, and nurses keeping a careful eye on patient responses to their treatment. It’s definitely a team effort.”

Gary has seen tremendous results and offers kudos for the whole care team that have helped him on his journey. His goals now include biking at his cottage, resuming his pickleball games and returning to skiing by this coming winter.