title: The long and painful path towards arthroplasty: a qualitative study.
abstract: Hip or knee arthroplasty is proposed after osteoarthritis or an accident. It is decided after a long path of pain and decrease in the quality of life. This research explores the period of illness until surgery. Twenty-four semi-structured interviews were conducted one month before surgery and a thematic discourse analysis performed. The diversity and complexity of the patient experience, in a commonly performed surgical intervention underlines important topics, requiring attention in order to improve patient preparations and information prior to arthroplasty: information adapted to individual concerns, needs and representations. Psychological and physical acceptance is necessary for integration of the prosthesis.
authors.affiliation: University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Mélanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Demierre
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Castelao
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Piot-Ziegler
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000523:psychology*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000523:psychology*; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology