Research reveals orthopaedic surgery has a social and economic impact

Total knee replacement (or total knee arthroplasty (TKA)) is one of the most successful and life-enhancing surgical procedures.

It relieves almost all pain for 90 percent of patients who have the procedure, allowing them to return to work and tremendously enhancing their quality of life.

A new study published in 2013 by the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS) and conducted by health economists has confirmed total knee replacement surgery to be a cost-effective treatment for patients with end-stage osteoarthritis. By modeling indirect savings of the individual returning to the workforce after surgery, researchers found a lifetime societal net benefit for patients undergoing knee replacement averages between $10,000 – $30,000.

More than 600,000 knee replacements are performed each year in the United States. With an aging population staying in the workforce longer and obesity on the rise, demand for total knee replacement surgery is expected to exceed 3 million by the year 2030.