title: Early repetitive radiography is unnecessary after an uncomplicated cemented hip or knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis.
abstract: Radiographs are necessary at some early point after a hip and knee arthroplasty. The aim of this study was to assess the value of routine repetitive radiographic examinations and the value of a reading of the images by a radiologist. Data of 200 cemented hip and knee arthroplasties for osteoarthritis were reviewed. In-hospital and outpatient postoperative control radiographs were examined. If post-operative radiographs are of good quality, there seems to be no need for early repetitive radiographs. Neither is a radiologist reading of the radiographs after joint arthroplasty of any benefit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Pëijät-Häme Central Hospital, Lahti, Finland. raimo.niskanen@fimnet.fi
authors.forename: Raimo Olavi
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Niskanen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002484:Cementation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures