Hip replacement patients 'could leave hospital earlier'

Fast tracking total hip replacement patients has been seen to be safe in a new study.

People in need of a total hip replacement may require home care or assisted living in the run up to their surgery.

A study published in Springer's Hospital for Special Surgery Journal found that generally healthy patients who undergo total hip replacement could safely be discharged just two days after their surgery.

This compares to the standard three to six days patients are kept in hospital after the operation.

Lawrence Gulotta, first author on the study, said: "Before this study, we were uncertain how safe it would be to discharge patients within two days after a total hip replacement, but based on this study, we now know that it is safe."

This follows comments from Michelle Mitchell, charity director at Age UK, who said that many people are subject to a "postcode lottery" when it comes to treatment for hip fractures.

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