title: Measuring improvement following total hip and knee arthroplasty using the SF-36 Health Survey.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of total hip or knee arthroplasty upon quality of life in elderly patients. The study was carried out at the Clinic for Orthopaedic Surgery Lovran on 74 total hip arthroplasty and 70 total knee arthroplasty patients. All patients had completed the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form in the week having preceded their surgery and then again postoperatively, 2 years after. The data obtained were statistically processed at the level of physical function, role limitations due to physical problems, role limitations due to emotional problems, social function, mental health, energy or vitality, pain and general health perception, and change in health. The primary total hip arthroplasty patients showed significant improvement at all levels measured. Similarly, the primary total knee arthroplasty patients expressed significant improvement according to all the parameters but the mental health assessment. Comparison of outcomes between the two assessment groups of patients resulted in slightly superior quality of life outcomes in total hip arthroplasty patients. It can be concluded that total hip or knee arthroplasty significantly enhances the health related quality of life in elderly patients.
authors: University of Rijeka, School of Medicine, "Lovran" Clinic for Orthopaedic Surgery, Lovran, Croatia. veljko.santic@ri.t-com.hr
authors: Veljko
authors: V
authors: Santić
authors: Dalen
authors: D
authors: Legović
authors: Branko
authors: B
authors: Sestan
authors: Hari
authors: H
authors: Jurdana
authors: Marin
authors: M
authors: Marinović
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires