Out-patient follow-up after total hip replacement in one health region.

A postal survey was carried out of all orthopaedic surgeons in the West Yorkshire Health region enquiring about out-patient follow-up practices after total hip replacement. Follow-up is advised to detect problems that can more effectively be resolved if detected early. A huge variation in the number, timing and nature of appointments following discharge was demonstrated. The total length of follow-up varied between 3 months and indefinite follow-up. The number of visits in the first post-operative year varied between one and four. The considerable variation in post surgery follow-up of these patients has important cost implications. Some patients will have unnecessary appointments whereas others will be inadequately reviewed. Guidance is required on the appropriate review of these patients which will allow early detection of joint failure in a way that is efficient in terms of the time and cost of out-patient follow-up.