For many individuals, undergoing hip and knee replacement surgery reduces pain and disability allowing them to return to the activities that they enjoy. However replacing the hip or knee joint is major surgery and some individuals do not experience excellent outcomes. One factor that has been shown to effect the outcome of the surgery is the patient’s expectations. As such, Bone and Joint Canada has undertaken a process of identifying how the health care system should be designed so as to maximize the outcomes for patients by both choosing the appropriate candidates who will benefit from surgery and preparing them through education on the benefits and limitations of the surgery to ensure that their expectations can be met.