Economic considerations in total hip arthroplasty and implant standardization.

During the 1980s, the hospital cost for total hip arthroplasty was controlled, but the implant cost for total hip arthroplasty was not controlled. With the introduction and acceptance of case price payment systems, hip implant cost consumed a greater portion of the hospital payment each year during the 1980s. Cost control for total hip arthroplasty during the 1990s will require control of implant costs. One objective method for controlling implant costs in total hip arthroplasty is implant standardization.