The Preoperative Clinical Pathway

Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) remains one of the most common and successful procedures performed in the United States. Improving outcomes, decreasing complications, and minimizing costs have been increasingly emphasized with the shift to alternative payment models. Rapid recovery clinical pathways have led to decreased hospital length of stay, decreased readmissions, increased patient satisfaction, and decreased costs. The preoperative pathway is critical to the success of rapid recovery after total joint arthroplasty. This pathway involves the proper selection of patients suitable for rapid recovery, optimization of modifiable risk factors, and preoperative education. Successful participation in rapid recovery protocols involves a multidisciplinary approach and is critical to the success of total joint arthroplasty.