HAKA: Routine Follow-up at 10 Years After Hip- or Knee Arthroplasty: Wasting Resources or Appropriate Healthcare?

Launched by REINIER HAGA ORTHOPEDISCH CENTRUM · Jul 14, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called the HAKA trial, is looking at whether routine follow-up visits 10 years after hip or knee replacement surgery are really necessary. Right now, doctors usually recommend check-ups with X-rays soon after surgery and then every few years to make sure everything is okay. However, these visits take time and resources, and it’s not clear if they always help patients. The study wants to find out if fewer routine visits—maybe just one early on—could be enough without risking patient health. This could save many patients from unnecessary hospital trips and reduce healthcare costs. If anyone has concerns, they can still ask for an extra check-up anytime.

People who might take part are those who had their first hip or knee replacement about 10 years ago, were 50 years or older at the time of surgery, and can complete questionnaires in Dutch or English. Participants will be asked to share their experiences and may complete questionnaires about their health and follow-up care. The study also looks at the views of both patients and healthcare professionals to better understand what follow-up care is most helpful. Overall, the goal is to improve care by making follow-up visits more meaningful and less burdensome for patients.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Underwent primary THA or TKA approximately 10 years ago
• • Age 50 years or older at time of THA or TKA
• • Capable and willing to complete questionnaires (when applicable)
• • Understanding Dutch or English
• • Willing to provide written informed consent in case the patient will complete questionnaires
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Other indication for surgery than osteoarthritis
• • Deceased
• • Revision arthroplasty of hip or knee, except a conversion from unicompartmental knee arthroplasty to TKA or from hip hemiarthroplasty/resurfacing to THA
• • Already participating in this study due to another hip or knee surgery