Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 17, 2026
In Vivo Quantification of Hip Arthrokinematics during Dynamic Weight-bearing Activities using Dual Fluoroscopy
Published on: July 2, 2021
Utilization rates of hip arthroplasty in OECD countries revised
Jonas Backes1, Christof Pabinger2, Harald Lothaller3
1Chair of Health Economics, Policy and Management, School of Medicine, University of St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Objective:
In 2014, we reported rising hip arthroplasty utilization across Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, particularly among younger patients. Since then, healthcare systems have evolved, demographic shifts are continued, and procedures were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to reassess these trends through 2022.
Methods:
We analyzed hip arthroplasty data from the OECD Health Statistics, U.S. Nationwide Inpatient Sample, and World Bank for 27 countries (2005-2022). We compared relative (compound annual growth rates (CAGR)) and absolute (i.e., mean annual differences (MAD)) procedure numbers, stratified by age (≤64 vs. ≥65), and examined associations with GDP, health expenditure, and life expectancy. Sensitivity analyses were performed to account for uncertainty in U.S.
Results:
Between 2011 and 2022, hip arthroplasty utilization grew more slowly than 2005-2011 (CAGR: 1.00% vs. 2.03%; MAD: 1.78 vs. 2.03). Growth from 2011 to 2022 was concentrated among patients aged ≤64 (CAGR 3.08%; MAD: 3.11), while utilization declined among those ≥65 (CAGR: -2.27%; MAD: -12.46). Country-level variation narrowed, with the highest-to-lowest ratio falling from 6.65 (2005) to 2.96 (2022). Despite a sharp drop in 2020 due to COVID-19, most countries recovered by 2022. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of observed OECD trends. BRIC nations showed faster growth, but data limitations hindered comparisons.
Conclusion:
Hip arthroplasty utilization continues to increase among younger patients but has declined in older ones. Continued demographic pressure and recovery from COVID-19 disruptions are expected to drive further increases in procedure volume.
