80 patients undergoing total knee or hip arthroplasty for primary degenerative osteoarthritis were included in the study. Patients were randomized to have their surgical wound dressed with a highly absorbent sterile hydrocolloid wound dressing or a conventional dressing. Findings indicated that without negatively affecting the 6 month postoperative cosmetic appearance of the wound, the highly absorbent sterile hydrocolloid wound dressing yielded significantly greater satisfaction in adherence, flexibility, and ease of movement. The highly absorbent sterile hydrocolloid wound dressing also required changing significantly less often than the conventional dressing.