I have very severe osteoarthritis in my knee. The doctor is planning surgery to replace my knee joint with an artificial one. Before having surgery, I have to go through a series of tests that will be repeated after surgery. So far, I’ve done a walking test, climbed stairs, and answered a survey with lots of questions about what I can do at home and how I feel. Is all of this really necessary?

Now more than ever, health care professionals are being asked to show the benefits of the treatment they provide. Insurance companies, employers, and patients are unwilling to pay for or receive treatment unless it has proven effective. The best way to evaluate treatment is to look at the whole picture before and after.

By comparing your function and satisfaction before and after treatment, you can tell whether the treatment is working. In your case, this might be very helpful if you ever need a knee replacement for the other leg or a second replacement for the knee in question.

Test results are also used by doctors to make treatment recommendations for other patients. Ultimately, tests like these help doctors plan better treatment for all patients.