Could a geriatric check before knee or hip surgery boost recovery and cut costs?

NCT ID NCT04001699

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looked at whether a team-based health assessment before knee or hip replacement surgery improves quality of life and reduces healthcare costs for patients aged 65 and older with multiple chronic conditions. 157 patients were randomly assigned to receive either usual care or an additional assessment by a geriatrician, nurse, physiotherapist, and pharmacist. The team created a plan to manage chronic diseases, nutrition, medications, and physical activity before surgery.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Preoperative geriatric assessment by an interprofessional team

What this could lead to

If successful, this could show that a thorough check-up before surgery improves recovery and lowers healthcare costs for older patients with multiple health issues.

What could go wrong

This is a small, completed study (157 participants) in two Finnish municipalities, so results may not apply to other regions or larger populations. The intervention is a care process, not a drug, so benefits may be modest.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

osteoarthritis, hip osteoarthritis, knee

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • University of Eastern Finland

    Kuopio, FI-70211, Finland