The National Joint Register was established by the New Zealand Orthopaedic Association, so that technical information about hip and knee surgery could be accurately recorded.

In April 1998, the Register began as a Christchurch based pilot study. A year later the registrations expanded  to include all surgical hospitals throughout New Zealand.

In January 2000 there was further expansion, so that the National Joint Register now registers joint replacements for hip, knee, shoulder, elbow and ankle surgery.

Approximately six months following surgery, all registered patients are sent a questionnaire to measure the outcome of their surgery. This can now be answered on-line.

The combination of technical data about the joint implanted, and the individual patient assessment, will give valuable information for New Zealand based research.