Thousands of people each year get a new hip or knee, but how satisfied are they?

Hip and knee replacements are among the most commonly performed surgeries in the Netherlands. Tens of thousands of people undergo this procedure annually to alleviate their osteoarthritis. Often with apparent success: pain is reduced, walking improves, and people can resume their daily lives.

But how satisfied are patients after such a procedure? Are the results always so promising? We delve into the figures.

On paper, the figures are impressive. According to a large systematic review of satisfaction after knee replacement surgery, 80 to 100 percent of patients are satisfied with the outcome of their surgery ^. We see similarly high satisfaction scores for hip replacements, although approximately 7 percent of patients remain dissatisfied, despite a technically successful procedure.

That 7 to 20 percent dissatisfaction rate may sound like a small group, but when you consider that it involves thousands of surgeries annually, we're talking about a significant number of people who are left disappointed. What distinguishes satisfied and dissatisfied patients?

One of the most important factors appears to be prior expectations. Patients who hoped to exercise pain-free again or climb stairs effortlessly are more likely to be disappointed when these goals are not achieved. Research shows that realistic expectations before surgery contribute significantly to postoperative satisfaction.

This means that good communication with the surgeon is essential. Doctors and patients must both clearly understand what is and isn't possible. This prevents patients from going into surgery with unrealistic expectations and later becoming dissatisfied with a medically successful procedure.

Other factors also play a role. People who experience persistent pain after surgery give lower satisfaction scores. Furthermore, people with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues before surgery often report lower satisfaction afterward. Mental health is currently far from always considered in the preparation phase, but researchers believe it should be included in the evaluation.

Furthermore, people with multiple chronic conditions do less well than those without comorbidities. Recovery is slower, and the risk of complications is higher, which impacts the overall experience.

While results vary from study to study, some analyses show that younger patients are more often dissatisfied than older patients. This may be because younger people place greater demands on their performance. Women appear to be slightly more dissatisfied than men, although these differences are small.

It's striking that satisfaction after a hip replacement is slightly higher than after a knee replacement. This may be related to the complexity of the knee joint and the higher expectations for functional recovery. Patients seem to be more satisfied with pain relief and mobility after hip surgery, while knee complaints sometimes prove more persistent.

A hip or knee replacement is a solution for many people. Most patients are satisfied, but a significant group continues to struggle with pain or disappointment. Good information, realistic expectations, and attention to mental and physical health can reduce this dissatisfaction.

Are you unsure whether this procedure has a good chance of success for you? Then take the self-assessment via this link for an overview.

Please note: this is not medical advice. If you have any concerns about your health, always consult a doctor.