Joint replacement (primary): hip, knee and shoulder

Recommendation ID: NG157/16
Question: What is the optimum time between follow‑up appointments for people who have had shoulder replacement, who should lead follow‑up and how this should be organised between hospital and community care?
Any explanatory notes (if applicable): Full details of the research recommendation are in evidence review T: long-term follow-up and monitoring.

Why the committee were unable to make recommendations on follow-up and monitoring

There was no evidence available to inform recommendations on long-term follow‑up and monitoring after joint replacement surgery. The committee were aware of an ongoing study to investigate follow‑up after hip and knee replacement surgery. That study does not include people who have had shoulder replacement, so the committee made a recommendation for research on follow-up after shoulder replacement.

Why the committee made the recommendation on referral from primary care

The committee agreed that, in the absence of recommendations on follow‑up and monitoring after hip, knee or shoulder replacement surgery, a recommendation is needed to ensure that people who have problems with their joint replacement are referred to an orthopaedic surgical service. Primary care practitioners are expected to use their clinical judgement to determine the urgency of the referral.

How the recommendation might affect practice

The recommendation reflects current practice and is not expected to result in changes.

Source guidance details

Is this a recommendation for the use of a technology only in the context of research?	No
Is it a recommendation that suggests collection of data or the establishment of a register?	No
Last Reviewed	01/06/2020