The experience of patients undergoing aseptic, elective revision knee joint replacement surgery: a qualitative study

Around 6,000 revision knee replacement procedures are performed in the United Kingdom each year. Three-quarters of procedures are for aseptic, elective reasons, such as progressive osteoarthritis, prosthesis loosening/wear, or instability. Our understanding of how we can best support these patients undergoing revision knee replacement procedures is limited. This study aimed to explore patients' experiences of having a problematic knee replacement and the impact of undergoing knee revision surgery for aseptic, elective reasons.

Qualitative semi structured interviews with 15 patients (8 women, 7 men; mean age 70 years: range 54-81) who had undergone revision knee surgery for a range of aseptic, elective indications in the last 12 months at an NHS Major Revision Knee Centre. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, de-identified and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

We developed six themes: Soldiering on; The challenge of navigating the health system; I am the expert in my own knee; Shift in what I expected from surgery; I am not the person I used to be; Lingering uncertainty.

Living with a problematic knee replacement and undergoing knee revision surgery has significant impact on all aspects of patients' lives. Our findings highlight the need for patients with problematic knee replacements to be supported to access care and assessment, and for long-term psychological and rehabilitation support before and after revision surgery.