Economics of revision total hip arthroplasty

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a procedure which relieves pain, restores function and improves quality of Life for patients with severe hip arthritis. The economics of total joint arthroplasty has become an increasingly important issue in the past decade, and will be more so in the future. If the number of patients treated with THA in the community increases as anticipated, so too will the requirement for revision of failed THA. Orthopaedic surgeons, medical administrators, and policy makers must work together to control costs while still maintaining high standards and quality outcomes for patients. This article examines issues relating to the economics of THA, including projections for the future burden of revision THA, the cost-effectiveness of revision THA, measures to improve survivorship of arthroplasties and the role of national arthroplasty registers in guiding decision-making based on evidence-based practice. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.