An interesting article surfaced in the June 18, 2008 edition of the Globe and Mail newspaper regarding hip and knee replacement surgeries. According to a new Canadian study, the availability of post-operative care has a dramatic affect on who gets surgery and who doesn’t. The study found that “older individuals or those who live alone may not get the surgery they qualify for because they may not have access to adequate recovery services.” Given that the need for hip and knee replacements will most certainly increase in the years ahead together with the mobility of today’s work force which impacts the ability of family to step in, let’s hope that the health care system looks into measures which will make it easier to access appropriate post-operative care. To read the article (for as long as the G&M archives it) follow this link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080618.wljoint18/BNStory/National/. We also came across this site filled with information for people undergoing joint replacement surgery: http://www.myjointreplacement.ca/. It’s a partnership between the GTA Rehab Network, The Arthritis Society and The Total Joint Network.