With joint replacement surgeries increasing in workers’ compensation, this study offers a consistent framework for tracking these surgeries and provides a better understanding of who receives them, where they occur, and how surgical decisions influence claim costs and outcomes.

The report focuses on shoulder, hip, and knee replacements, which represent the majority of joint replacement surgeries. The study also discusses several implications from its findings, including the growing importance of health promotion and musculoskeletal wellness programs, and explores how state policies may influence patterns and trends of joint replacement surgeries.

Recent Trends in Joint Replacement Among Workers’ Compensation Claims. Dongchun Wang, Vennela Thumula, and Randall D. Lea. January 2026. WC-26-02.

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