Does the priority scoring system for joint replacement really identify those in most need?

The Priority Criteria for Major Joint Replacement Scoring System was introduced to prioritise patients on the basis of clinical and social need for surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess its correlation with the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) and musculoskeletal functional assessment questionnaires. Fifty patients placed on the waiting list for total joint arthroplasty were surveyed comparing the physician derived priority score and the patient-derived WOMAC and musculoskeletal functional assessment questionnaires. Results demonstrate a poor correlation between the priority scoring system and the WOMAC and musculoskeletal functional assessment. In addition, the results indicates that the priority scoring system for major joint replacement does not differentiate between severity of impairment secondary to joint disease in patients placed on the surgical waiting list for joint replacement.