This page is for patients who have had hip or knee replacement surgery at UCLH.
Why am I being referred to the Virtual Arthroplasty Review [VAR]?
The UCLH Virtual Arthroplasty Review [VAR] service has been introduced to provide safe and effective follow up care to patients after hip and knee replacement surgery.
Previously, all patients needed to physically attend UCLH for all their follow up appointments after hip and/or knee replacement surgery.
Coming back to hospital for appointments can be difficult for some patients due to commitments such as work or child care.
For others, the appointment is not necessary as they can continue to manage their recovery after surgery with simple telephone advice.
Once you have been reviewed at your follow up clinic appointment after surgery, your Surgeon or Arthroplasty Practitioner will decide whether VAR is suitable for the next review of your joint replacement.
You will be asked to provide contact details including a telephone number and an email address (if you have one).
Please make sure you can be contacted on the number you provide.
You will not need to physically attend the hospital for VAR.
How can I prepare for my appointment?
Four to eight weeks before the review
If you have a smartphone – like an iPhone or Android – you will get four text messages from UCLH Orthopaedics. The first text lets you know you are about to receive three more texts from us, with a link in each text. These links are for three separate questionnaires. They are very important, as they help us to know how you and your joint replacement are doing.
If you do not have a smartphone, you will receive three paper questionnaires to complete, with a stamped addressed envelope to return them to us.
Two weeks before the appointment
Make sure you have completed and returned the questionnaires by this stage.
X-rays
We may ask you to go for an x-ray of your hip or knee replacement. This can be done here at UCLH, but in some cases we can ask for it to be performed more locally to you. Not all patients will need an x-ray.
If you need to have an x-ray, we will call you to let you know.
What is the Virtual Arthroplasty Review [VAR]?
During VAR, your case will be looked at by a specialist consultant-led orthopaedic team.
Firstly, we will look at the case notes from your last appointment, your most recent x-rays or scans, and your completed questionnaires.
This will be done by a senior orthopaedic surgeon and/or an Arthroplasty Practitioner (specialist physiotherapist or nurse).
For most patients, we can make a management plan from all of this. But sometimes we need some more information. If this is the case, you will be contacted via telephone within one week (Monday – Friday) by one of the team.
They may ask you further questions to confirm how you are doing, and will discuss what could happen next.
If we don’t need any more information, you will get a letter confirming the outcome of your virtual appointment and the follow up plan.
The VAR team will also:
- Arrange the appointment, if you need to attend hospital for further follow up care.
- Organise any further x-rays or imaging.
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It may be necessary for the VAR team to leave a voicemail message on your phone.
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Please contact the VAR team using the details provided in this leaflet if you do not wish messages to be left.
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If you develop any new symptoms in the joint, which last more than six weeks, please contact the orthopaedic team using the contact details provided below.
Contact details
Hospital Switchboard: 020 34567890
Direct line: 07956 727698 (bookings)
Email: UCLH.Orthopaedics@nhs.net
Address: VAR Service
Trauma & Orthopaedics Department Surgical Specialties Division
Ground Floor Central
250 Euston Road
London, NW1 2PG
Website: www.
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is a service that offers support, information and assistance to patients, relatives and visitors. They can also provide help and advice if you have a concern or complaint that staff have not been able to resolve for you. The PALS office is located at Ground Floor Podium, 235 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BU. Staff will be happy to direct you.
Telephone: 020 3447 3018 or 020 3447 3002
Email: PALS
Page last updated: 20 March 2025
Review due: 01 August 2026