The ‘total solution’ for total hip replacement surgery

Abstract

Despite the great alleviation in suffering produced by total hip replacement surgery, some caution is indicated. Many of the patients who undergo surgery still present problems some time after the operation and for which there is no obvious or adequate medical or engineering explanation. It is therefore suggested that no report on such surgery is complete without regard for patients' expectations, patients' satisfaction and without common agreement by surgeons on what can be expected from the operation.

This paper highlights the importance of patients' and surgeons' expectations and the need for all to be aware of the influence of such expectations. It also suggests that surgeons rely heavily on their own judgements as to what state patients should be in prior to surgery. If the solution for such a radical measure is to be total for the patient, then patients' feelings and judgements should also be considered.