OBJECTIVE: To assess the relevance of the RAPT (Risk Assessment and Prediction 
Tool), among a cohort of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA).
METHOD: Prospective study of a cohort of patients evaluated before and after 
THA. The difference between the postoperative orientation predicted by the RAPT 
and the real one is assessed. Clinical, environmental and psychosocial criteria 
that could significantly change the orientation are discussed.
RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-four patients (94 women and 40 men) were 
included. The average age was 71.6 (±10) years. Primary hip osteoarthritis was 
the indication for surgery in 78% of cases. The average length of stay in the 
surgery ward was 10 (±3) days. It was significantly higher for patients referred 
to a rehabilitation ward (P<0.0001). Sixty-six percent of patients were referred 
to a rehabilitation ward and 34% returned directly home. The average length of 
stay in rehabilitation ward was 27 (±13) days. The validity of the RAPT as a 
help decision tool has been confirmed. Thus, a low RAPT score was significantly 
associated with more frequent referral to a rehabilitation ward, conversely, a 
high RAPT score is significantly related to more frequent direct return to home.
CONCLUSION: This study confirmed the usefulness of the RAPT to help in patient 
orientation decision after total hip arthroplasty. The patient preference 
remains the main variable for orientation after THA. By the way, the patient 
preference must not be integrated into the RAPT, but need to be collected and be 
discussed with the patient.