title: A 5-year profile of the incidence of total joint replacement in South Africa (1985-1989).
abstract: This survey was conducted to determine the number of total joint replacements (TJRs) carried out annually in South Africa from 1985 to 1989 and the number of surgeons performing these procedures. During this period there was a 28% increase in the number of TJRs performed annually with an average increase of 20% in total hip replacements and 40% in total knee replacements. The number of surgeons involved in joint replacement during the survey period decreased by 7% in state-subsidised institutions but increased by 57% in the private sector. This is reflected in the number of TJRs performed each year, which has remained static in the state institutions but exhibits a threefold increase in the private sector. This probably reflects a shift in emphasis in state health care policy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Cape Town.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spirakis
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Learmonth
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maver
mesh_terms: D002484:Cementation; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007595:Joint Prosthesis / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012086:Reoperation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013019:South Africa