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June 25, 2009
Filed Under (General health) by Aashi
Knee replacement surgery (arthroplasty) is fairly common and is not limited to a profession or gender, though it is generally more prevalent in older patients. Jane Fonda was in the news recently having her left knee replaced and reportedly was using Twitter to keep those interested appraised of her status. She reportedly said that her doctors had said she would regain up to 80 percent of former mobility. There are an estimated 500,000 total knee replacements each year in this country, costing over $11 billion collars. That number is expected to be seven times greater by 2030 because of the overweight, aging population. Knee replacement is normally performed to reduce pain and to restore mobility to the affected joint with nine out of ten knee replacements considered successful. According to a recent cost effectiveness report, the procedure, though expensive would be worth it for those with long-term knee problems associated with osteoarthritis. Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Boston University School of Public Health reviewed the cost effectiveness of operations performed on Medicare patients aged 65 and older. According to the study, knee replacement surgery and subsequent costs averaged $57,900 per patient. This was $20,800 more than was spent on those who did not have the surgery. Those who had replacement knees lived in good health more than a year longer than those who did not, and the researchers calculated the added cost per year of good quality life at $18,300. Judged against other procedures to treat aging bones it was “highly cost effective.” The cost effectiveness of the surgery was generally higher at high-volume hospitals with experienced surgeons. Blacks, Hispanics, and older patients did not generally receive the same benefits, according to the study. Researchers reported “For patients who choose to undergo total knee arthroplasty, hospital volume plays an important role: regardless of patient risk level, higher volume centers consistently deliver better outcomes.” Stephen Lyman of Weill Cornell Medical College in New York said in an editorial that translating cost-effectiveness to medical practice was an uphill climb. “At least in the United States, even well performed cost-effectiveness analysis do not influence either payers or physicians directly. Payers do not use the results to make coverage determinations nor do physicians use them to make treatment decisions.” Lyman wrote. The study appears in the June 22 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. Related posts:
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