Change in Harris hip score in patients on the waiting list for total hip replacement.

AIM

To investigate the change in the Harris hip score in patients waiting for a total hip replacement, between the time of listing for operation and immediately pre-operatively.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

For 167 consecutive patients listed for total hip replacement, the Harris hip score was taken both at time of listing for surgery and at pre-operative assessment 2 weeks prior to surgery.

RESULTS

The median wait for operation in our unit was 330 days. The Harris score immediately preoperatively decreased compared with the initial score, with a mean decrease of 8.9 points. This result was highly statistically significant. Decrease in score also correlated with time on the waiting list.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients requiring total hip replacement deteriorate while on the waiting list. Waiting times should be as short as possible to reduce unnecessary suffering.