256 patients 12 months or more postoperatively from total hip or knee arthroplasty were randomized to evaluate patient satisfaction with a web-based follow-up programme as opposed to routine follow-up. Patients were evaluated over 1 year based on a 7 point patient satisfaction questionnaire. The evidence presented in this study indicated that significantly more usual care patients reported higher levels of satisfaction than did web-based patients (82.0% vs. 75.6%). Usual care patients were more satisfied with surgeon care than were web-based patients (92.8% vs. 73.9%).