ABSTRACT
Ideally, after any operation, recovery to full health and resumption of normal activities of daily living should be immediate, and there should be no complications or side effects from any of the therapeutic interventions. In the real world, of course, it is unlikely that this ideal could ever be realised, but the focus of our efforts should be to approach this goal as closely as possible. Many patients who present for arthritis surgery are in good health and, often, their only problem is arthritis. This is particularly the case for those presenting for hip resurfacing who tend to be male, younger (average age, 55 years), and fi tter than the population presenting for THR (average age, 70 years). Additionally, most surgical procedures on the knee and hip are compatible with immediate mobilisation. Thus, we are presented with a unique opportunity to approach the ideal recovery more closely than previously possible.
