Joint replacement registry surpasses 4 million procedures, reflects hip and knee arthroplasty trends

Editor's Note

The American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR), managed by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), crossed a major threshold, now encompassing over 4 million recorded hip and knee arthroplasty procedures, a November 7 AAOS press release reports. The data, spanning a decade (2012–2023) from 1,447 healthcare institutions nationwide, is highlighted in AJRR’s 2024 Annual Report, which also noted an 18% rise in recorded procedures since last year.

The report highlights AJRR’s role in influencing best practices as well as trends in the field, such as the expanded use of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to gauge patient satisfaction and functional improvements. By the end of 2023, 44% of participating sites had submitted PRO measures, reflecting a 27% increase in participation since that year. Findings show significant improvements in physical function, especially for knee-related outcomes, compared to mental health metrics, showing the impact of joint replacement on mobility and physical quality of life.

Ambulatory surgery centers are also making strides, reporting a 70% increase in total joint procedures. Notably, more patients are now discharged directly home rather than to skilled nursing facilities postoperatively, with 92% of hip replacement patients able to recover at home. The registry also tracks rising trends in robotic-assisted procedures, now involved in over 6% of elective primary hip replacements.

With comprehensive data and analytics, the AJRR aims to guide orthopedic care towards higher quality and effectiveness, supporting the healthcare community’s shift toward evidence-based, patient-centered outcomes.