Change in Harris hip score in patients on the waiting list for total hip replacement.

AIM: To investigate the change in the Harris hip score in patients waiting for a total hip replacement, between the time of listing for operation and immediately pre-operatively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For 167 consecutive patients listed for total hip replacement, the Harris hip score was taken both at time of listing for surgery and at pre-operative assessment 2 weeks prior to surgery. RESULTS: The median wait for operation in our unit was 330 days. The Harris score immediately preoperatively decreased compared with the initial score, with a mean decrease of 8.9 points. This result was highly statistically significant. Decrease in score also correlated with time on the waiting list. CONCLUSIONS: Patients requiring total hip replacement deteriorate while on the waiting list. Waiting times should be as short as possible to reduce unnecessary suffering.