Caring for the Caregiver: Caregiver Preparation and Stress Following Total Joint Arthroplasty

Social support improves outcomes after total hip and knee arthroplasties (THA/TKA), but the demands on informal caregivers, especially as surgeries transition to outpatient care, are understudied. This study strived to assess caregiver burden, predictors, and implications following joint arthroplasty.

This prospective cohort study enrolled 185 patient-caregiver dyads undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis at a tertiary academic center. Caregivers completed assessments at four weeks postoperatively, including the Caregiver Strain Index (CSI) and Appraisal of Caregiving Scale (ACS), which measure perceived benefit, threat, and stress. Demographic, socioeconomic, and caregiving-related variables were collected. Multivariate linear regression identified factors associated with caregiver strain and experiences. Caregivers had a mean age of 64 years (range, 52.3 to 76.3), and 60% were women. Most (72.4%) were spouses, and 46.5% were retired.

The CSI scores showed considerable strain, especially among women caregivers (β = 1.29, P = 0.001), those who had higher daily time commitment postoperatively, and those who had lower preoperative preparedness. Regarding employment status, 7% worked part-time, and 3.2% were homemakers. Among ACS subscales, non-White race (β = 0.31, P = 0.035) and homemaker status (β = 0.65, P = 0.049) were positively associated with perceived benefit, while lower preparedness predicted higher perceived threat. Caregiver age (β = 0.0217, P = 0.004), higher initial social support (β = 0.013, P = 0.001), and preparedness (β = 0.19, P = 0.016) predicted higher stress appraisals. Part-time employment was associated with lower stress (β = -0.47, P = 0.042).

Caregiver burden after joint arthroplasty is substantial and influenced by sex, age, race, employment, social support, and preparedness. Targeted interventions addressing these factors are needed to mitigate strain in at-risk caregivers and improve surgical recovery for patients.