Exploration of adverse consequences of total knee arthroplasty by patients and knee specialists: a qualitative study

A successful outcome according to the knee specialist is not a guarantee for treatment success as perceived by patients. In this study, we aimed to explore outcome expectations and experiences of patients with OA before and after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery and knee specialists that might contribute to the negative appraisal of its effect, and differences in views between patients and knee specialists.

Semi-structured interviews were held in Belgium and the Netherlands. Twenty-five patients (2 without indications for TKA, 11 on the waiting list for TKA and 12 postoperative TKA) and 15 knee specialists (9 orthopaedic surgeons, 1 physician assistant, 1 nurse practitioner and 4 physiotherapists) were interviewed. Conversations were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using thematic analysis following the grounded theory approach. Separate analyses were conducted for patients and knee specialists.

Patients were focused on the arduous process of getting used to the prosthesis, lingering pain, awareness of the artificial knee and limitations they experience during valued and daily activities, whereas knee specialists put emphasis on surgical failure, unexplained pain, limited walking ability and impairments that limit the physical functioning of patients.

This study provides a comprehensive overview of potential adverse consequences from the perspective of both patients and knee specialists. Improving patients' awareness and expectations of adaptation to the knee prosthesis needs to be considered.