Imagine having a total knee replacement and walking out of the hospital the same day. It's possible.

A Fairport man became the first patient to undergo the procedure last December on an outpatient basis in our area.

Mark Delaus is a retired city firefighter who has always led an active lifestyle — until he started having trouble with his left knee.

"Pain was pretty unbearable, my range of motion was bad, I'd have good days and bad days," said Mark Delaus of Fairport.

An X-ray showed that Mark's cartilage had worn thin.

The solution was a total knee replacement, but in Mark's case, he would be a candidate for a new procedure that would allow him to go home the same day.

"Until he told me, 'We've never done this before,' I was even more excited," said Delaus.

Dr. John Klibanoff is the first surgeon to perform Total Knee Replacement outpatient in the five-county area.

"With improved modalities to control pain, with improved techniques for performing the surgical procedures there is an impetus to get people home. We use the saw to carefully remove the arthritic bone just down to the surface height we need to reimplant a cap that matches the size of the patient’s native anatomy," said Dr. Klibanoff, an orthopedic surgeon from Rochester Regional Health.

The new outpatient procedure is not for everyone. The patient should be healthy, motivated, and have a strong support system and willing to put the time in when it comes to rehab.

"Even in those who might not be a great candidate for reasons they're unaware of, it is motivating for them to know that this is out there," said Dr. Klibanoff.

Within a few hours of surgery, Mark was up walking and bearing weight.

"It was amazing how I was able to move it so freely right afterwards," said Delaus.

Mark is now two months out of surgery and continues his rehabilitation.

"New knee, new outlook, so we'll see what the golf game brings," said Delaus.