OECD: Slovakia lags behind in joint replacement surgery

Joint replacement surgery is, compared to other OECD countries, not so usual in Slovakia. Slovakia is at the end of the scale in the number of these operations. Total hip or knee replacement is used for the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis. Lower number of operations, however, does not have to indicate that Slovaks are healthier in that respect. The reason could be also the poorer access to the treatment or more restrictive conditions, by which doctor may recommend the operation. Fewer operations may be also related to the lower overall life-span of citizens.