Nizar N. Mahomed, MD, ScD, FRCSC
Toronto Western Hospital,
University Health Network,
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto,
Toronto, ON.
Gillian Hawker, MD, MSc, FRCSC
Sunnybrook and Women's
College Health Sciences Centre,
Associate Professor,
Department of Medicine,
University of Toronto,
Toronto, ON.
Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in any age group. It is estimated that over half of those over the age of 75 suffer from this condition.1,2 The prevalence of arthritis increases with age; current estimates indicate that the number of people with arthritis-related disability will double by the year 2020.3 Pain and the loss of physical function result in a reduction in quality of life and a loss of independence for these patients. This in turn causes a significant burden to society in terms of lost productivity and the utilization of health care resources.4,5 Studies have shown long-term improvement in joint pain, physical functioning and quality of life in patients following total hip and knee replacement.6,7 Total joint replacement (TJR) is cost-effective and, in some cases, even cost saving.8 Currently there are over 35,000 hip and knee replacements performed annually in Canada.
