Perioperative Care and Enhanced Recovery After Orthopedic Surgery: Protocols, Outcomes, and Future Directions

This chapter provides a comprehensive review of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols as applied to major orthopedic procedures, encompassing preoperative optimization, multimodal analgesia, minimized opioid use, early mobilization, and accelerated rehabilitation pathways. Evidence from randomized trials and institutional outcome studies is synthesized to assess the impact of ERAS implementation on length of hospital stay, complication rates, patient-reported outcomes, and healthcare resource utilization across arthroplasty, spinal, and trauma surgery populations. The chapter addresses barriers to protocol adherence, strategies for sustainable implementation, and emerging areas including prehabilitation, remote monitoring, and digital health integration in postoperative care.