Race/ethnicity and use of elective joint replacement in the management of end-stage knee/hip osteoarthritis: a review of the literature.

Although much research has documented disparities exist for utilization of TJA, additional studies have shown that we have not narrowed the gap. Because multiple studies have shown that insurance and access to care are not necessarily underlying causes for these disparities, other studies have shown that there are real and significant differences between racial/ethnic groups in preferences for and expectations of joint arthroplasty. Additional research has established there are racial differences in certain postoperative processes and outcomes. Reasons have not been elucidated, but highlight the need for more research to understand these differences, their causes, and then to design interventions to minimize these inequalities.