Perceptions of physician recommendations for joint replacement surgery in older patients with severe hip or knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To exfamine patient perceptions of physician discussions and recommendations about total joint arthroplasty (TJA).
DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.
SETTING: One large academic medical center and four community affiliates in Boston. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred seventy-four patients aged 65 and older with severe osteoarthritis of the hip or knee for at least 6 months not controlled with medications. MEASUREMENTS: Patient perceptions of primary care physicians' (PCPs) and orthopedists' communication about TJA were assessed at baseline for all patients and at 12 months for those who did not undergo surgery.
RESULTS: Of the 174 patients, 49 were aged 80 and older, 82% were non-Hispanic white, and 69% had knee osteoarthritis. Eighty-seven percent of individuals with baseline interviews and a PCP (142/163) reported that they had discussed their hip or knee arthritis with their PCP at baseline, and 26% (42/163) reported that their PCP discussed TJA as a treatment option. Of the 128 patients who saw an orthopedist, 65% reported that their orthopedist recommended TJA. Only 29% (51/174) of patients underwent TJA. Those who reported discussing TJA with their PCP at baseline were more likely to undergo TJA (P<.01). Thirty-six percent (44/123) of the patients who did not undergo TJA reported that their PCP discussed surgery as a treatment option at baseline or at 12month follow-up.
CONCLUSION: Patients with severe osteoarthritis of their hip or knee who report discussing TJA as a treatment option with their PCP are more likely to undergo TJA within the next year, but few older adults report having these discussions. Improvement is needed in communication between PCPs and patients about TJA.