Decision regret after primary hip and knee replacement surgery

Decision regret (DR) is a recognised patient centered outcome measure following a therapeutic intervention. This study aimed to measure DR following primary total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA), to assess for differences between these patients and explore possible contributory factors.

DR was measured using the DR scale in a group of THA and TKA patients, between February 2017 and December 2018, who had made a decision to have joint replacement surgery within the previous year and were able to reflect on their outcomes.

On analysis a significantly greater proportion of TKA patients reported moderate or severe (Mod/Sev) DR [17.1% (56/328)] compared to THA patients [4.8% (18/376)]. Conversely, a significantly reduced proportion of TKA patients reported having No DR [42.1% (138/328)] compared to THA patients [66.7% (251/376)]. On multivariate logistic regression analysis joint replacement type (TKA/THA) and change in Oxford score were significant predictors of DR with gender, age, BMI and ASA grade not significantly associated. TKA patients were more than twice as likely to have Mod/Sev DR compared THA patients (Odds Ratio = 2.33 (95% CI 1.24-4.39)). Patients with poorer improvements in pain and function 1-year post-operatively (measured by Oxford scores) reported greater levels of DR.

TKA patients were significantly more likely to report greater levels of DR 1-year following surgery compared to THA patients. For both TKA and THA patients, greater levels of DR were associated with poorer Oxford scores. The use of decision aids to reduce post-operative DR in joint replacement patients should be examined especially for knee replacement patients.