Outpatient Total Knee Arthroplasty: Are We There Yet? (Part 1).

Recent trends in total joint care have moved toward outpatient surgery. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains a definitive management for end-stage osteoarthritis and has experienced increased utilization over the past several decades. The method by which surgeons conduct outpatient total knee procedures has yet to be fully elucidated as different institutions report different experiences from their pathways. This article will discuss current data and recommendations for implementing successful TKA and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty outpatient protocols. Specifically, this review will provide information regarding cost reduction, patient selection criteria, and preoperative medical optimization.