Some major medical aids and private hospitals belong to ICPS (Improved Clinical Pathways Services). Discovery also has a global fee arrangement which applies to primary joint replacement. Both of these are programmes that regulate every aspect of your joint replacement, from the anaesthesia to the number of days spent in the hospital.
The anaesthetic of choice for a joint replacement is an epidural with conscious sedation. While this might sound scary, it improves the speed of recovery after the operation. Speak to your anaesthetist if you have any concerns.
If your medical aid is part of ICPS, or if you don’t have help at home, it is recommended that you book a place at a subacute (step down) facility for an additional 4-5 days post hospital discharge. Here you will get help in the form of wound treatment and physiotherapy.
For more information – visit the ICPS website