Center for Education & Research on Therapeutics

The CERT (Centers for Education & Research on Therapeutics) program is a national initiative mandated by Congress to improve the safety and effectiveness of medical therapeutics, including devices such as total knee, hip and shoulder replacements.  There are currently over 200 completed and ongoing studies sponsored by the CERT program aimed at improving the health of all Americans.

Hospital for Special Surgery is partnering with the Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC) CERT program to study factors affecting outcomes in patients who have their knee, hip or shoulder replaced at our hospital.  The WCMC-HSS CERT project is the most comprehensive national registry focusing exclusively on total joint replacements and was selected as part of a national research initiative by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.  We are not only interested in the physical results of your operation, but also how you feel your joint replacement is functioning and how satisfied you are with your new joint.

About Total Joint Replacements

Total joint replacements are some of the most successful medical devices developed over the last fifty years.  They enable millions of people to remain ambulatory and pain free, with minimal risk.  In 2002, over 200,000 total hip replacements, 350,000 total knee replacements, and 25,000 total or partial shoulder replacements were performed in the United States.  Future use will likely be even higher.  It is estimated that by the year 2020, the population age 65 and over in developed countries will increase by 71%.  Existing studies do not provide adequate prospective data to evaluate long-term outcomes of these important devices.  Most health related quality of life studies only report data up to twelve months post-operatively; we plan to follow each patient for at least five years.  In addition, more patients under 65 are choosing joint replacement to enable them to continue their active lifestyles.  Since HSS is a leader in this area, we will be able to learn a tremendous amount about this younger population.

Future Registry Initiatives

Participants in the HSS/CERT Total Joint Replacement Registries will receive a yearly newsletter, which will include the latest information on joint replacements, as well as the results of studies done using information volunteered by HSS patients.

How to Enroll

A research coordinator will be on hand at your pre-operative education session, medical clearance visit or in the pre-operative holding area to explain how to enroll.  You will also receive an informational letter about the registry in the mail. Participation is voluntary and if you choose not to participate in the HSS/CERT Total Joint Replacement Registries it will in no way affect the care you receive at HSS.