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Outpatient (Same-Day) Joint Replacement

Outpatient joint replacement lets many healthy patients have a hip or knee replacement and go home the same day, rather than staying in a hospital. Dr. Dattilo performs same-day hip and knee replacement at SmartCare in Palm Harbor — an ambulatory surgery center built for exactly this — for patients across the Tampa Bay area.

What “outpatient” means

Outpatient — or same-day — joint replacement means your surgery is performed at an ambulatory surgery center and you recover at home the same day, instead of being admitted to a hospital. The surgery itself is the same proven hip or knee replacement; what changes is the setting and the path home.

The benefits of same-day surgery

Surgery at SmartCare in Palm Harbor

Dr. Dattilo performs outpatient joint replacement at SmartCare, the ambulatory surgery center at the Palm Harbor location (1325 Belcher Road). It’s designed around same-day joint replacement, with rapid-recovery protocols and a team focused on getting you safely home.

► Watch: Preparing for Surgery at SmartCare
Dr. Dattilo walks you through what to expect on the day of your procedure.

Are you a candidate?

Many healthy patients are candidates for same-day joint replacement. Candidacy depends on your overall health, any medical conditions, and having support at home for the first day or two. Dr. Dattilo will review whether outpatient surgery is the right choice for you — and many same-day patients are also candidates for anterior hip or partial and robotic-assisted knee replacement.

What to expect on the day

You’ll arrive at SmartCare the morning of surgery, have your hip or knee replacement, and recover in the center under the care of the team. Most patients are up and walking with assistance within hours, then head home the same day with clear instructions and a recovery plan. Physical therapy begins soon after.

Why patients choose Dr. Dattilo

Dr. Dattilo is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon who focuses specifically on hip and knee replacement, and he has been recognized among Becker’s Top 10 Total Joint ASC Physicians to Know — a recognition tied directly to outpatient, ambulatory-surgery-center joint replacement. He completed fellowship training at the Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute after medical school at Johns Hopkins and residency at the University of Pennsylvania, and has authored 45+ peer-reviewed publications.

He sees patients at four Tampa Bay locations — St. Petersburg, Largo, Palm Harbor, and Sarasota. Learn more about Dr. Dattilo ›

Frequently asked questions

What is outpatient (same-day) joint replacement?
Outpatient joint replacement means your hip or knee replacement is performed at an ambulatory surgery center and you recover at home the same day, instead of being admitted to a hospital. The surgery itself is the same proven joint replacement — what changes is the setting and the path home.
Is same-day joint replacement safe?
For appropriately selected, healthy patients, outpatient joint replacement is safe and well established. Recovering at home can reduce exposure to hospital-acquired infections, and rapid-recovery protocols are designed to get you moving quickly and safely. Dr. Dattilo carefully reviews each patient to confirm they are a good candidate.
Who is a candidate for outpatient joint replacement?
Many healthy patients are candidates. Candidacy depends on your overall health, any medical conditions, and having support at home for the first day or two. Dr. Dattilo will review whether same-day surgery is the right choice for you.
Where does Dr. Dattilo perform outpatient joint replacement?
Dr. Dattilo performs outpatient hip and knee replacement at SmartCare, the ambulatory surgery center at the Palm Harbor location (1325 Belcher Road), which is built around same-day joint replacement.
Will I really go home the same day?
Yes. Most outpatient joint replacement patients are walking with assistance within hours and go home the same day with clear instructions and a recovery plan. Physical therapy begins soon after.
What are the benefits of outpatient versus hospital joint replacement?
Patients often prefer recovering in the comfort of their own home, with less disruption to their routine, potentially lower cost, and reduced exposure to hospital-acquired infections. Outpatient centers like SmartCare are built specifically around efficient, rapid-recovery joint replacement.

Learn more from trusted sources

Interested in same-day joint replacement?

Find out whether you’re a candidate for outpatient hip or knee replacement at SmartCare.

Call (727) 547-4700 Request an Appointment

This information is general and educational and is not a substitute for an individual medical consultation. Please see Dr. Dattilo or your own physician for advice about your specific situation.