A Qualitative Study to Explore Patient Expectations of Recovery After Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Patient-Reported Outcomes
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Total knee replacement (TKR) is a common procedure for end-stage knee osteoarthritis.
• Patient dissatisfaction can occur despite favorable clinical outcomes, highlighting the role of expectations.
• Preoperative expectations significantly influence satisfaction and recovery perception.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore pre-operative expectations of patients scheduled for TKR.
• To understand anticipated recovery outcomes and perceived daily life improvements.
• To identify key domains of patient expectations regarding TKR.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive design utilizing semi-structured interviews.
• Nine participants awaiting primary TKR were interviewed.
• Inductive content analysis, categorized using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework.

Main Results:

• Strong expectations for pain relief, improved mobility, and return to meaningful activities.
• Expectations spanned contextual factors, body function, activity, and participation.
• Some expectations, like complete pain elimination, may exceed typical outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Understanding pre-TKR expectations is vital for patient-centered care.
• Preoperative counselling should cover physical and psychosocial recovery to manage expectations.
• Findings support developing interventions to enhance TKR patient satisfaction and recovery.