PAPER 144: IMPACT OF TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT ON RESUMPTION OF EMPLOYMENT

Abstract

Purpose: This prospective survey was undertaken to document the impact of total hip replacement surgery (THA) on patients’ ability to return to work and fulfill their occupational duties.

Method: Patients under the age of 65 awaiting elective THA were asked to complete a validated self-administered questionnaire pre-operatively and 1 year following surgery.

Results: Sixty of 84 patients who completed the pre-operative questionnaire considered themselves to be in the workforce. Twelve of these 60 (20%) were off work due to their hip condition while waiting for surgery, while the remaining 48 were employed. At 1 year post-surgery, 3 patients were lost to follow-up, and 3 had removed themselves from the waitlist and not undergone surgery. Only 1 of 44 (2%) of patients working pre-operatively did not return to work following surgery because of their hip condition. Two of 10 (20%) patients off work prior to surgery because of their hip returned to work following surgery, 5 (50%) indicated that they did not return to work because of their hip, and the remaining 3 (30%) patients did not resume working due to factors other than their hip. Patients who returned to work following surgery demonstrated increases in measures of their ability to meet work place physical, productivity, and income.

Conclusion: Twenty percent of patients waiting for THA stop working prior to surgery because of their hip condition; half of these patients still report being unable to work following surgery. However, the vast majority of THA patients working pre-operatively report being able to return to work following surgery, and these patients demonstrate increases in their ability to meet workplace physical demands, productivity, and income. These findings underscore the importance of undertaking surgery in a timely fashion in order to prevent further deterioration in function.