Surgery for osteoarthritis

Surgery for osteoarthritis is a valuable option for most patients with end-stage osteoarthritis. Joint replacement, and in some circumstances, osteotomy, has been shown to be highly effective in relieving pain and providing societal value by helping sufferers regain joint function in a cost-effective manner. Careful selection of patients most appropriate for any surgical interventions is at the heart of treatment success. Optimizing patient preparation and their journey through surgery is also important in achieving lasting benefits and patient outcomes. Careful attention to aligning surgeon–patient expectations is critical for achieving high levels of satisfaction, which is the foundation for value-based care. This chapter describes the processes that patients who are candidates for surgery may encounter from diagnosis to surgery and beyond.