Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026
Treatment of Ankle Osteoarthritis with Total Ankle Replacement Through a Lateral Transfibular Approach
Published on: January 24, 2018
Pain, physical functioning and quality of life of individuals awaiting total joint replacement: a longitudinal study
Gretl A McHugh1, Karen A Luker, Malcolm Campbell
1School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. gretl.mchugh@manchester.ac.uk
Objectives:
To investigate if pain, physical function and the quality of life changed among adults with osteoarthritis while on the waiting list for hip or knee joint replacement.
Methods:
A longitudinal study of patients listed for primary hip or knee joint replacement. Participants were interviewed at baseline (n = 105) and followed up at 3 (n = 84), 6 (n = 47) and 9 months (n = 24), or until their joint replacement. Measurement tools used were a visual analogue scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster's Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).
Results:
Baseline data indicated high levels of pain as measured by VAS [mean 7.0 (SD 2.2)] and WOMAC pain [mean 11.2 (SD 3.5)]. At baseline, the mean physical function measured by WOMAC was 40.3 (SD 12.1). At the 3-month follow-up, there was significant deterioration in VAS pain scores (0.6; 95% CI mean difference 0.3, 1.0); WOMAC pain scores (1.2; 95% CI mean difference 0.7, 1.8) and WOMAC physical function scores (4.8; 95% CI mean difference 2.8, 6.7) compared with baseline.
Conclusion:
The often long wait for joint replacement surgery and deterioration in pain and physical function has highlighted the need for active management by health professionals while patients are on the waiting list.
