Fast-track programmes represent a multi-modal rehabilitation strategy for the purpose of a quicker recovery of organ function after surgery. The concept is based on evidence based initiatives within sub-sections of the peroperative period in an organisational structure where a number of conditions, such as demands of increased interdisciplinary cooperation, are fulfilled.

The object of fast-track programmes is to give the patients a physiology based and optimised hospital stay with reduced morbidity and postoperative convalescence.

Through the resent years our orthopaedic research group has worked at optimising all sub-sections within the fast-track programme for patients undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasty.