RADIOGRAPHIC COST REDUCTION STRATEGY IN TOTAL JOINT ARTHROPLASTY - A PROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

A consecutive series of 222 patients who underwent cemented total knee arthroplasty (124) and uncemented total hip arthroplasty (98) were ev aluated prospectively. The purpose of this study was to determine if r outine radiologic interpretation of postoperative total hip and total knee radiographs is cost effective. Also, the study was designed to de termine if routine predischarge radiographs, in conjunction with recov ery room radiographs, are worthwhile. There were no changes in postope rative patient management based on orthopaedic or radiologic review of either radiograph. No additional information was gained from review o f the radiologic evaluations. Therefore, obtaining one series of routi ne inpatient post-operative total joint radiographs and eliminating po stoperative radiologic consultation will significantly reduce costs wi thout compromising patient care.