Complications, Mortality, and Costs for Outpatient and Short-Stay Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients in Comparison to Standard-Stay Patients

The purpose of the present study is to determine the differences in cost, complications, and mortality between knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients who stay the standard 3–4 nights in a hospital compared to patients who undergo an outpatient procedure, a shortened stay or an extended stay. TKA patients were identified in the Medicare 5% sample (1997–2009) and separated into the following groups: outpatient, 1–2 days, 3–4 days, or 5+ days inpatient. At two years, costs associated with the outpatient and the 1–2 day stay groups were $8527 and $1967 lower than the 3–4 day stay group, respectively. Out to 2 years, the outpatient and 1–2 day stay groups reported less pain and stiffness, respectively, though the 1–2 day group also had a higher risk for revision.