04/07/2026
A 2026 WCRI study shows an upward trend in shoulder, hip and knee replacements across workers' comp claims. This increase leads to a greater variation in where surgeries occur, who receives them, and how those decisions shape claim cost, disability duration and revision rates.
As these procedures become more common, clinical oversight plays a critical role. Nurse case managers help to ensure treatment plans are appropriate, coordinated and aligned with evidence‑based musculoskeletal care, especially when comorbidities or extended recovery timelines are part of the picture.
For claims teams tracking emerging patterns in surgical utilization, the full WCRI report offers valuable insight into what’s changing and why it matters.