To establish the cost of primary hip (THR) and knee (TKR) arthroplasty in an elective orthopaedic centre in the UK and to compare it with current government reimbursement to NHS hospitals and the costs in North America. In 2004 an elective orthopaedic centre was set up in South West London which performs mainly primary lower limb arthroplasty. We used a retrospective analysis of financial statements from September 2004-June 2005 inclusive to establish operative costs (including implant), perioperative costs and post-operative costs until discharge.Aims
Methods