2-4 hours, and at least 3 follow-up visits. cost of the medical device and hospital bill are irrelevant, since i don't get a paycheck from the hospital, and the hospital bills the insurance company for the implants, and hospital stay. we end up taking care of plenty of people without insurance, and i'm not even doing trauma this year. in our trauma department, at least 50% of the people who wind up in the trauma bay have no insurance, and absolutely no intent to pay for shit.
i get $1200 per total joint, that's it. and i have just as much overhead--secretary, nurse, medical assistant, radiology technician, building rent, etc. etc.
just consider this one of the 3-4 charity cases you do, and move on.