OUTPATIENT FOLLOW-UP AFTER TOTAL HIP-REPLACEMENT IN ONE HEALTH REGION

A postal survey was carried out of all orthopaedic surgeons in the Wes t Yorkshire Health region enquiring about out-patient follow-up practi ces after total hip replacement. Follow-up is advised to detect proble ms that can more effectively be resolved if detected early. A huge var iation in the number, timing and nature of appointments following disc harge was demonstrated. The total length of follow-up up varied betwee n 3 months and indefinite follow-up. The number of visits in the first post-operative year varied between one and four. The considerable var iation 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 app ropriate 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.