Return to work and workplace activity limitations following total hip or knee replacement

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Total hip (THR) and knee (TKR) replacements are increasingly common in younger populations.
• Return to work is a critical outcome for this demographic.
• Understanding factors influencing return to work and workplace limitations is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate characteristics of individuals with early and later return to work after THR and TKR.
• To assess pre-surgery and post-surgery workplace limitations.
• To identify factors associated with workplace limitations.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 931 participants undergoing THR or TKR was studied.
• 190 THR and 170 TKR patients, working pre-surgery, completed questionnaires at multiple time points.
• Data included demographics, occupation type, and the Workplace Activity Limitations Scale (WALS).

Main Results:

• 87% of THR and 85% of TKR patients returned to work by 12 months.
• Early return (1 month) was associated with male gender, higher education, administrative roles, and less physically demanding jobs.
• Total hip replacement patients returned to work earlier than total knee replacement patients.

Conclusions:

• The majority of patients return to work post-hip or knee replacement for osteoarthritis (OA) with fewer limitations.
• Younger surgical candidates and evolving workforce dynamics necessitate assessment of return-to-work outcomes.
• Findings offer valuable insights for clinicians and employers regarding employment participation for individuals with OA.