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.