A study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery examined how the length of stay affected cost for total hip and knee replacement patients.
The length of stay at the hospital for total joint replacements has declined steadily over the past few decades; in 1987 the average length of stay was three weeks. By the early 2000s, the LOS dropped to five days. Now, some patients are able to return home within 24 hours of surgery.
Here are five key trends from the article: Read more from Becker’s.