NHS joint and fracture surgery ‘becoming safer’

Two independent reports have been published this month showing that death rates following joint replacements or hip fractures have fallen in the last decade.

Data from the National Joint Register annual report have demonstrated that mortality rates among patients undergoing hip and knee replacements have halved over the past decade, despite a record number of operations in the last year.

Meanwhile, findings from the National Hip Fracture Database audit have indicated that hip fracture patients are getting faster transfers to surgery and more access to specialist consultants than ever before.

The availability of higher-quality joint replacements, plus general improvements in care, are helping to enhance patient outcomes and ensure fewer people need to have their implants replaced within ten years.

Professor Chris Moran, national clinical director for trauma at NHS England, said: "More patients are now making a good recovery following a hip fracture or joint replacement, and the NHS is ultimately saving more lives."

Surgery to replace hip, knee, ankle, elbow or shoulder joints is relatively common, often taking place due to an injury to the affected area, or because of degenerative conditions such as arthritis.