Men more likely than women to get joint replacements
A Canadian study has found that for the same severity of arthritis, men were three times more likely to have the operation than women and poorer people, despite having the worst arthritis on average were also less likely than people who were better off.
The major factor was willingness to consider surgery. Women were less likely than men to rate their arthritis as severe and less likely to be advised by their friends and family to seek help. There was also a tendency to emphasise the risks of the operation rather than the benefits.
The researchers claim that education is needed for doctors and the public so that those who could really benefit from a new joint do so.
