[Length of stay after primary total hip and knee arthroplasty in Denmark, 2001-2003].

INTRODUCTION: We studied length of stay (LOS) after operation with total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in Denmark from 2001 to 2003 to determine whether experiences from published accelerated tracks had been implemented in Denmark, resulting in reduced LOS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Through the National Patient Registry (Landspatientregistret) we obtained information on numbers, sex, age and LOS for each year during the period 2001-2003, inclusive.

RESULTS: In 2003 the male-female sex ratios for THA and TKA were 1:1.4 and 1:1.7, respectively. In 2003, the mean age at operation with THA was 66.0 years for men and 69.9 years for women; 66.9 years for men and 69.0 years for women operated on with TKA. During the period studied, LOS was reduced for both operations: 16% for THA, to a mean of 8.1 days, and 17% for TKA, to a mean of 8.6 days, in 2003. LOS increased with age for both THA and TKA. Men had shorter LOS than women.

DISCUSSION: The LOS shows that accelerated tracks - with accompanying shorter LOS in the area of 4 to 6 days - have not been implemented on a nationwide basis, and we find a need to review the principles for rehabilitation after operation with THA and TKA in the direction of accelerated tracks. This could be expected not only to generate large savings in LOS but also to reduce the need for rehabilitation and possibly reduce morbidity.