Change in pain and function while waiting for major joint arthroplasty

The objective of this study was to examine the change in pain and physical function that occurs while waiting for major arthroplasty. Data were collec ted prospectively from a cohort of 313 patients who were waiting >1 month f or total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty. The WOMAC and the SF- 36 health status instruments were administered at the time the patient was placed on the waiting list and again just before surgery. Minimal amounts o f change in pain and physical and psychosocial function occurred for hip an d knee arthroplasty patients while they waited. Overall, waiting time did n ot appear to have a negative impact on the amount of pain and dysfunction e xperienced.