Individuals' expectations and challenges following total hip replacement: a qualitative study.
OBJECTIVE
Hip replacements are one of the most common operations for individuals with hip osteoarthritis. There have been numerous quantitative studies investigating the recovery from joint replacement surgery and these show how effective and satisfied patients are. However, little qualitative work has been conducted to explore patients' actual experiences. Therefore, this study aimed to detail the experiences of individuals undergoing a total hip replacement (THR) to determine whether their expectations were met.


METHODS
The qualitative study was nested within a longitudinal study (n = 215) that was investigating biomedical and psychosocial outcomes from THR. We interviewed a purposive sample of individuals (n = 25) 6 months after THR to explore their experiences of having a THR.


RESULTS
Participants were aged 48-82 years. They felt disabled following the THR and some had unrealistic expectations of recovery. Most of them received minimal information and health professional support. Participants had to overcome a number of challenges such as diminished confidence, frustration over slow progress and reduced physical functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
Individuals undergoing THR need to have the opportunity to discuss their expectations of THR, so there is no "false optimism". Support requirements, following THR, need to be reviewed as they were often underestimated by patients and health professionals.
School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, University of Manchester, UK. gretl.mchugh@manchester.ac.uk
Gretl A
GA
McHugh
Karen A
KA
Luker
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000523:psychology*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000601:surgery*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires