[Follow-Up Study of Joint Function and Quality of Life in Patients After Total Hip Arthroplasty]

The number of patients with osteoarthritis has gradually increased with population aging. Total hip replacement is typically required in patients with severe arthritis. Because hospitals are reducing the allowable length of hospital stays, joint function recovery and quality of life after surgery are issues of increasing concern in this population.

1. To track changes in hip function, lower limb function, and health-related quality of life before and after total hip replacement surgery. 2. To examine the correlation between basic demographic data and hip function, lower limb function, and health-related quality of life.

A longitudinal study with convenient sampling was used. Thirty patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty were recruited. Data were collected before the operation and at two weeks, six weeks, and three months after the operation.

The results were as follows. (1) At two weeks after the operation, lower limb function and quality of life were significantly worse than before the operation (p < .05). At six weeks and three months after surgery, hip function, lower extremity function, and health-related quality of life were significantly better than before the operation (p < .05). Male patients had better hip function, lower extremity function, and health-related quality of life than female patients (p < .05). Younger people had better lower limb function (p < .05). Those who had jobs and lived with their families had better hip function, lower limb function, and health-related quality of life than those without jobs (p < .05) and those living alone (p < .05). No significant correlation was found between the comorbidities and hip function, lower limb function, or health-related quality of life (p > .05).

The results may be used as a reference for clinical nurses providing preoperative and postoperative care to patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty.