Total joint arthroplasty
Total joint arthroplasty has been studied in 10 papers since 2021: 7 observational studies in people, 3 reviews. The newest paper, Oct 22, 2025: “Incidence and factors associated with postoperative delirium after primary total joint arthroplasty in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis”.
10 papers study it9 findingsUpdated
“seventy-eight (57.4%) patients were frail preoperatively, but the prevalence significantly decreased to 52 patients (38.2%) at postoperative 6 months.”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 5 independent labs in 3 countries
- Funders: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and 5 more
- Humans7
What did studies of Total joint arthroplasty find?
7Studies of Total joint arthroplasty measured 7 outcomes; the most studied are frailty (2 studies), cognitive function (1) and EuroQol 5 Dimensions (1).
Frailty
downin humans2
2 studies
Frailty
downin humans2
Total joint arthroplasty decreases frailty in humans (57.4% to 38.2%).
“seventy-eight (57.4%) patients were frail preoperatively, but the prevalence significantly decreased to 52 patients (38.2%) at postoperative 6 months.”
Human trialend-stage hip and knee OA6 monthsn = 136
Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation
Total joint arthroplasty decreases frailty in humans (4 in 10 frail patients improved).
“Four in 10 frail patients improved to vulnerable/non-frail.”
Humans1 year
Frailty Transitions One Year After Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Cohort Study
The Journal of arthroplasty
Cognitive function
no changein humans1
1 study
Cognitive function
no changein humans1
Total joint arthroplasty has no effect on cognitive function in humans (5.2 [95% CI -1.2 to 11.5] months less memory decline, p = 0.11).
“Memory decline 3 years after TJA was similar to surgical controls (5.2 [95% confidence interval, CI -1.2 to 11.5] months less memory decline in the TJA group, p = 0.11) and nonsurgical controls.”
Humans3 yearsn = 1,947
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
EuroQol 5 Dimensions
upin humans1
1 study
EuroQol 5 Dimensions
upin humans1
Total joint arthroplasty improves EuroQol 5 Dimensions in humans (P < .01).
“FAI scores (P < .01), and EQ5D (P < .01)”
Human trialend-stage hip and knee OA6 monthsn = 136
Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation
Pain
downin humans1
1 study
Pain
downin humans1
Total joint arthroplasty decreases pain in humans (P < .01).
“pain (P < .01)”
Human trialend-stage hip and knee OA6 monthsn = 136
Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation
Kihon Checklist
downin humans1
1 study
Kihon Checklist
downin humans1
Total joint arthroplasty decreases Kihon Checklist in humans (P < .01).
“Total arthroplasty intervention provided significant improvements in the total KCL scores”
Human trialend-stage hip and knee OA6 monthsn = 136
Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation
Physical activity
no changein humans1
1 study
Physical activity
no changein humans1
Total joint arthroplasty has no effect on physical activity in humans (delta = 2.37; SE = 5.23 for vigorous PA; delta = -2.84; SE = 7.76 for moderate PA).
“TJA was not associated with vigorous PA ($\delta$ = 2.37; SE = 5.23) or moderate PA ($\delta$ = -2.84; SE = 7.76) after 2 years.”
Humanssymptomatic osteoarthritis2 yearsn = 4,652
Physical therapy
Activities of daily living
upin humans1
1 study
Activities of daily living
upin humans1
Total joint arthroplasty improves activities of daily living in humans (>30% reduction).
“>30% reduction in the percentage of patients expressing difficulties with walking, climbing stairs, and requiring ADL assistance 1 year after TJA.”
Humans1 year
Frailty Transitions One Year After Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Cohort Study
The Journal of arthroplasty
What is Total joint arthroplasty linked with?
1Studies link Total joint arthroplasty with 1 measure, most often postoperative delirium (1 study).
Postoperative delirium
upin humans1
1 study
Postoperative delirium
upin humans1
Total joint arthroplasty is associated with postoperative delirium in humans (13.6% (95% CI, 12.2-15.0%)).
“The pooled POD incidence was 13.6% (95% CI, 12.2-15.0%), with substantial heterogeneity across studies.”
Reviewn = 29,311
Frontiers in medicine