Table 4 National Health Service arthroplasty scheduling recommendations, adapted from the Federation of Specialty Surgical Associations (UK) [17]

1a

 < 24 h

• Infection: e.g., septic arthritis (natural or prosthetic joint)

• Dislocated joints

1b

 < 72 h

• Unstable articular fractures that will result in severe disability without operative fixation

2

 < 1 months

• Destructive bone lesion with risk of fracture (e.g., giant cell tumour)

• Solitary metastasis

• Arthroplasty – any site where delay will prejudice outcome

3

 < 3 months

• Revision surgery for loosening without impending fracture, or recurrent joint instability

4

 > 3 months

• Arthroplasty/arthrodesis – not otherwise specified