Total hip arthroplasty surveillance: when do we see our patients postoperatively?

Despite the high volume of total hip arthroplasties (THAs) performed in North America, there is no consensus regarding postoperative implant surveillance. Therefore, an Internet survey of Hip Society members was performed to determine the timing of follow-up visits after THA. The surgeons were queried with respect to the time until the first and second postoperative visits and the interval of follow-up for the first and second decades. The average time until the first follow-up visit is 4.9 weeks, and 63% of patients are seen by 6 weeks after surgery. Ninety percent of respondents saw patients at 1 year after THA. Follow-up visits after year 1 were more variable. Guidelines for follow-up should be established to enhance patient outcomes over time.