AHRQ Stats

In 2011, musculoskeletal procedures accounted for nearly one-quarter of all U.S. operating room procedures. Among these, knee replacement showed the largest growth in volume from 2001 to 2011, with a 93 percent increase, to 718,500 total procedures. There was a 70 percent growth in spinal fusion during this same period. (Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Statistical Brief #171: Trends in Operating Room Procedures in U.S. Hospitals, 2001-2011.)

Highlights

In 2011, over 15 million operating room (OR) procedures were performed in U.S. hospitals. Although the overall number of procedures remained stable from 2001—2011, the mix of procedures changed.

In 2001, musculoskeletal procedures constituted 17.9 percent of all procedures. By 2011, this figure rose to 24.2 percent, which is a 38 percent increase in 11 years.

Within the musculoskeletal system, knee arthroplasty had the largest growth in volume, nearly doubling between 2001 and 2011 (a 93 percent increase). Approximately 718,500 knee arthroplasties were performed in 2011. There was a 70 percent growth in spinal fusion during the 11-year period.

Among digestive-related procedures, appendectomies decreased by 13 percent, while colorectal resection and cholecystectomy procedures remained relatively stable over time.

Two common cardiovascular procedures decreased from 2001—2011. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures decreased by nearly half to 213,700 procedures in 2011, and percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) decreased by more than one-fourth to 560,500 procedures in 2011.