The value of total hip and knee arthroplasties for patients

Total hip-and total knee arthroplasties (THA/TKA) are effective treatments for end-stage hip/knee osteoarthritis, leading to satisfactory improvement of pain/function in 80-90% of the patients within 12-months after surgery. Overall, knowledge regarding clinical outcomes reflecting the process of recovery in patients undergoing THA/TKA over a prolonged period is scarce. First, this thesis addressed the successfull feasibility of collecting a comprehensive set of outcomes relevant for the process of recovery. Second, it was found that the decrease in pain/improvement in function after 1 -year in THA-patients, but not in TKA-patients, was positively associated with more preoperative radiographic severity of OA. Thirdly, most patients’ preoperative expectations of outcomes of THA/TKA regarding functioning were met, unfortunately more frequently not in TKA-patients. Finally, 90%/52% of THA/TKA-patients return after surgery after 12-weeks on average. However, despite high return-to-work rates, a considerable proportion of the patients who return-to-work, worked less hours than preoperatively. Concluding, although overall favourable outcomes were seen, this thesis identified a number of areas for improvement: better identification of subgroups with a likely perceived unsuccessful outcome or recovery process, if not preoperatively then early after surgery. Early identification and subsequent interventions may change the course of recovery of THA/TKA for such patients, leading to added value in this subgroup.