A Randomized Controlled Trial of Long Versus Short Wait For Primary Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

The primary research question is: Does expedited hip and knee replacement result in improved lower-extremity function at 36 months post randomization as measured by the Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)? A secondary component to this question is whether expedited surgery improves pain and stiffness scores as measured by the WOMAC and generic QOL as measured by the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (SF-36) and Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3)? Secondary questions are: Does joint-specific and generic QOL deteriorate significantly during waiting? Does prolonged waiting increase the economic cost associated with hip and knee arthroplasty? And does expedited surgery have an effect on patient satisfaction with major joint replacement?