Empowered Patient Walking Path to Recovery

Joint Replacement Reality Check: How Accurate Are Patient Reports?

Lena Voss in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"New study sheds light on the reliability of patient-reported complications after hip and knee arthroplasty, empowering patients to take control of their recovery journey."

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are common procedures aimed at relieving pain and improving mobility for individuals with severe joint damage. As the demand for these surgeries continues to grow, it's increasingly important to understand the factors that contribute to successful outcomes and patient satisfaction.

One crucial aspect of evaluating the effectiveness of THA and TKA is the accurate reporting of postoperative complications. While healthcare professionals diligently monitor patients and track outcomes, patient-reported experiences offer a unique and valuable perspective. After all, patients are the ones living with the results of the surgery and are best positioned to describe their day-to-day experiences.

But how reliable are patient reports when it comes to identifying complications after joint replacement surgery? Do patients accurately recall and report issues such as readmission, reoperation, and venous thromboembolism (VTE)? A recent study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery sought to answer these questions, providing valuable insights for patients and healthcare providers alike.

Unveiling the Accuracy of Patient Reports: What the Study Found

Empowered Patient Walking Path to Recovery

The study, conducted across 19 high-volume hospitals, involved patients undergoing primary hip or knee arthroplasty. Researchers followed up with patients via telephone interviews at 35, 90, and 365 days after surgery, recording surgical outcomes and any complications experienced. To verify the accuracy of patient reports, researchers conducted medical record audits and liaised with surgeons, general practitioners, and other health professionals.

The results of the study were encouraging. Of the 150 patients who reported a total of 242 significant complications, a remarkable 92.6% were confirmed as accurate. This finding suggests that patients are generally reliable reporters of their postoperative experiences.

Readmission to Hospital: Accurately reported by 90.2% of patients.
Reoperation (including manipulations under anesthesia, joint washouts, reductions of dislocated joints, and revisions): Accurately reported by 98.7% of patients.
Venous Thromboembolism (VTE): Accurately reported by 86.7% of patients.

These findings demonstrate a high level of accuracy in patient-reported complications following THA and TKA. This suggests that patient reports can be reliably used for postoperative surveillance of joint replacement surgery.

Empowering Patients, Improving Outcomes

The study's findings underscore the importance of empowering patients to actively participate in their care and recovery. By accurately reporting their experiences, patients can provide valuable information that helps healthcare providers identify potential complications and tailor treatment plans accordingly. This collaborative approach can lead to better outcomes and increased patient satisfaction. If you're considering or have undergone joint replacement surgery, remember that your voice matters. By sharing your experiences and reporting any concerns, you can play a vital role in ensuring a successful recovery journey.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1177/2309499018802493, Alternate LINK

Title: Validity Of Patient-Reported Complications After Total Hip And Knee Arthroplasty

Subject: Surgery

Journal: Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Authors: Kinh Luan Thanh Dang, Helen Badge, Ian A Harris

Published: 2018-09-01

Everything You Need To Know

How reliable are patient reports regarding complications after total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA)?

Patient reports are generally reliable. A recent study showed that approximately 92.6% of patient-reported significant complications after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were confirmed as accurate. Specifically, readmissions to the hospital were accurately reported by 90.2% of patients, reoperations by 98.7%, and venous thromboembolism (VTE) by 86.7%. This underscores the value of patient input in postoperative surveillance.

What specific types of complications following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were patients most accurate in reporting?

Patients demonstrated a high degree of accuracy in reporting several specific complications. Reoperations, including manipulations under anesthesia, joint washouts, reductions of dislocated joints, and revisions, were the most accurately reported, at 98.7%. Readmission to the hospital was accurately reported by 90.2% of patients, while venous thromboembolism (VTE) was accurately reported by 86.7% of patients. This suggests that patients are particularly attuned to issues requiring further surgical intervention.

How does the accuracy of patient reports after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) influence patient care and outcomes?

The high accuracy of patient reports empowers patients to actively participate in their care and recovery. By reliably reporting their experiences, patients provide valuable information that helps healthcare providers identify potential complications early and tailor treatment plans more effectively. This collaborative approach between patients and healthcare professionals can lead to improved outcomes, increased patient satisfaction, and a more successful recovery journey following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Why is understanding the accuracy of patient-reported outcomes important in the context of total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) success?

Understanding the accuracy of patient-reported outcomes is crucial because total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) aim to relieve pain and improve mobility, making patient experience paramount. While healthcare professionals monitor patients, patient-reported experiences offer a unique perspective on day-to-day results of the surgery. Accurate patient reporting helps healthcare providers identify potential complications like readmission, reoperation, and venous thromboembolism (VTE), leading to timely interventions and better overall outcomes.

What are the implications of the findings regarding patient-reported outcomes for healthcare providers involved in total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures?

The findings emphasize the need for healthcare providers to actively solicit and value patient reports regarding their experiences after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Given the high degree of accuracy in patient reporting, these accounts should be considered a reliable source of information for postoperative surveillance. This can lead to earlier detection of complications, more tailored treatment plans, and ultimately, improved patient outcomes. Furthermore, it reinforces the importance of clear communication channels between patients and healthcare providers to facilitate accurate and timely reporting.