Effectiveness of the Coordinated Return to Work model after orthopaedic surgery for lumbar discectomy and hip and knee arthroplasty: a register-based study.

Objectives: This study examined the effectiveness of an individualised Coordinated Return to Work (CRtW) model on the length of the return to work (RTW) period compared with a standard prescription of 2-3 months RTW during recovery after lumbar discectomy and hip and knee arthroplasty among Finnish working-age population.

Methods: Cohorts on patients aged 18-65 years old with lumbar discectomy or hip or knee arthroplasty were extracted from the electronic health records of eight Finnish hospital districts in 2015-2021 and compiled with retirement and sickness benefits. The overall effect of the CRtW model on the average RTW period was calculated as a weighted average of area-specific mean differences in RTW periods between 1 year before and 1 year after the implementation.