INTRODUCTION: Osteoarthritis is common in the elderly and the pain reduces their functional capacity. Total Joint Arthroplasty (TJA) is a common surgery, with beneficial effects for the patient. PURPOSE: To investigate the patients’ quality of life regarding the surgical treatment for arthritis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive, correlational, longitudinal study. The convenience sample was patients who underwent TJA, of knee or hip, in three general hospitals in Attica (March 2009-April 2011). The measurement instruments included the Health Related Quality of Life Aspects Questionnaire EQ5D, questions about symptoms and feelings, and the Quality of Recovery Scale. The data collection took place at admission (n=209), before discharge (n=188), and within six months following surgery (n=127). Statistical analysis was performed with parametric procedures. RESULTS: Patients’ mean age was 72.32 years, in the majority women (71.3%), graduates of primary school (76.1%), and retired (57.9%). The preoperative quality of life was poor, while the majority of patients experienced negative emotions (fear, worry, sadness), and symptoms (pain, fatigue, insomnia), while at six months these were experienced less frequently. Pain was treated preventively only in 51.6% of the patients postoperatively. The patients’ recovery was associated with their health- related quality of life, both at the second and the third measurement. CONCLUSIONS: Patients reported they were experiencing significant limitations in their daily life, many negative emotions, and poor quality of life, both preoperatively and in the immediate postoperative period, which were significantly improved during six months after surgery.