Knee replacement works best when patients, providers agree

HealthDay/Washington Post, January 20, 2009

People with severe osteoarthritis tend to be happier with their care and treatment if they see eye-to-eye with their healthcare providers on the issue of total knee replacement, a new study finds. However, about 20% of patients don't agree with providers when it comes to this treatment. The study found agreements between most providers and patients about the importance and potential benefits of the joint replacement surgery, but patients generally had greater concerns about the severity of their condition and possible complications.