ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION Joint Replacement Surgery in Elderly Patients With Severe Osteoarthritis of the Hip or Knee Decision Making, Postoperative Recovery, and Clinical Outcomes

a common cause of pain and disability in elderly patients. Joint replacement surgery can alleviate pain and restore function but is associated with risks and discomfort. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study to examine decision making and clinical outcomes for el-derly patients (age65 years) with severe OA of the hip or kneewith symptoms inadequately controlledwith con-servative treatments. Osteoarthritis symptoms and func-tional status were assessed at baseline and at 12months. Postoperative symptoms and function were assessed 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery. Results:For the174patients studied (meanage, 75years; 76%were female, 17%were nonwhite, 69%hadkneeOA, and 31 % had hip OA), the mean Western Ontario an