Prospective analysis of rural-urban differences in demographic patterns and outcomes following total joint replacement

Abstract

Objective: Little is known about whether rural-urban differences exist in patients after hip and knee joint replacement surgery. We compared patient characteristics, pain and functional outcomes of rural and urban patients undergoing joint replacement surgery in a single high-volume metropolitan centre. Design: Prospective cohort study conducted in patients who underwent primary elective hip (THJR) or knee replacement (TKJR) between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2009. Setting: A university-affiliated tertiary referral centre situated in the central metropolitan region of Melbourne, Australia. Participants: One thousand nine hundred fifty-five consecutive patients undergoing primary total jo..