In the past the success of total hip and total knee replacements was measured by how many complications occurred after surgery or by how long the patient lived. Today there have been many improvements in the materials and methods used for joint replacement. Patient quality of life (QOL) has become a new way to measure success.
In this report, researchers reviewed studies done over the past 23 years that focused on QOL as the main measure of success. QOL is measured using patient surveys. QOL includes such things as personal satisfaction or social effects of surgery on daily living.
The authors report on how these studies were done, the measures taken, and the results. The time frame for each study ranged from seven days to seven years. Here’s what the authors found:
The authors conclude that studies like this are needed to show the value of total hip and knee replacements. They think it’s time to move past the disease itself and look at how treatment affects patient’s lives.