Objective To evaluate the feasibility of not placing urinary catheter during perioperative stage in patients receiving unila-teral hip or knee arthroplasty. Methods A retrospective study was carried out to analyze 147 patients who received unilateral hip or knee arthroplasty. Based on whether or not to have received urinary catheter insertion, these patients were divided a catheter group of 69 cases, and a no-catheter group of 78 cases. Incidence rates of postoperative urinary retention between the 2 groups were compared, and factors contributing to urinary retention were explored. Results There was no significant difference in the incidence rates of postoperative urinary retention between the 2 groups （P＞0.05）.Postoperative fluid infusion volume was the only contributing factor of urinary retention （P＜0.05）. Conclusion There is no need to insert an urinary catheter before unilateral hip or knee arthroplasty.Postoperative fluid infusion volume should be controlled to mitigate the risk of urinary retention.