Many practices are entering into bundled payment plans that incentivize providers on cost containment for TKA procedures. Providers assume risk, but share in the savings if they keep costs below target prices while maintaining quality standards.
Most of these potential added costs stem from re-admissions or complications that arise post-operatively and can include extended therapy visitations.
Patients typically are not offered any sort of pre-rehabilitation, which would better prep them for surgery, as those encounters are traditionally allocated for post-operative treatments. The problem is these referrals have significant muscle weakness and often times present with extension deficits, which tend to impact and extend the timeline needed for recovery.
Now, patients can be issued a pre-rehabilitative device 4-6 weeks prior to surgery, that allows them to strengthen their leg by simply wearing it while walking. In doing so, patients better prepare their leg for surgery and help to accelerate the recovery process, potentially reducing the number of therapy visits required. And, when used post-operatively, the brace can help restore extension deficits.
Since the devices are issued in advance of the surgery, those expenses are not part of the post-operative plan of care and help contain costs aligned to the bundled plans.
