The total cost of hip-joint replacement; a model for purchasers

Abstract

A computer-based model is used to investigate the total cost of primary total hip-joint replacement The model takes into account the probability of prosthesis failure, death and re-revision. The results emphasize the importance of age at insertion, demonstrating that the expected life-span of the patient has a major influence on the total cost for a given prosthesis. The discussion considers the idea of a ‘lifetime care package’ to encapsulate the concept of quality when considering the purchasing of total hip replacements. If it is assumed that a primary replacement episode costs £3500 and revision surgery costs twice as much, then the additional premium on the best implant currently available would be £630. The premium payable on the same patient using the worst design would be £3080. This difference reflects the importance of quality in total hip replacement surgery. © 1996, Oxford University Press.