Patients' reasons for electing to undergo total knee arthroplasty impact post-operative pain severity and range of motion

Patients' reasons for electing to undergo total knee arthroplasty impact post-operative pain severity and range of motion

Cremeans-Smith J K; Boarts J M; Greene K; Delahanty D L

Journal of Behavioral Medicine

2009

2009-06

The present study examines the reasons cited by 103 patients for their electing to undergo total knee arthroplastic surgery and the relationship between these reasons and their post-operative pain and range of motion. Results suggest that individuals who describe different reasons for undergoing surgery vary in their post-operative recovery. Specifically, patients who cite pain as the reason they are undergoing surgery report greater levels of pain during the early post-operative period. In contrast, patients who describe goals of regaining mobility or a specific activity as their reason for undergoing surgery achieve a greater range of motion during early post-operative physical therapy. Individuals who express avoidance goals for undergoing total knee arthroplasty report more severe post-operative pain at 1 and 3 months following surgery compared to patients who express approach goals. Interventions targeted towards patients reporting pre-operative pain or avoidance goals may decrease subsequent post-operative pain and increase mobility.

osteoarthritis; pain; Surgery; Psychology; predictors; quality-of-life; replacement; fear; fatigue; Approach-avoidance goals; chronic musculoskeletal pain; Post-operative recovery; Reasoning; Surgical outcome; Total knee arthroplasty

Journal Article or Conference Abstract Publication

Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).

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