Physical activity perceptions and beliefs following total hip and knee arthroplasty: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Despite improvements in pain and physical capacity experienced by patients following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA), recent studies suggest that levels of physical activity may not change. This study aimed to qualitatively explore people’s beliefs and perspectives about physical activity at 6 months following THA or TKA for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants (age range 51–78 years) at 6 months post-arthroplasty surgery. Participants were recruited from a concurrent larger quantitative study examining quantitative physical activity levels via accelerometers. Interviews were transcribed, coded and analysed using a thematic approach. Results: Participants described greater capacity to be physically active post-surgery despite no increase in objective measures. Three themes emerged from the interviews relating to the participants perspective of physical activity after surgery: (1) physical activity is for enjoying living; (2) new limitations on physical activity: age and comorbidities; and (3) personal beliefs about physical activity: it is enough to know you can. Conclusion: Individual beliefs and perceptions are important in understanding factors influencing physical activity following THA and TKA. Health practitioners should examine this when developing management plans aimed at optimizing physical activity.

• Arthroplasty surgery
• hip and knee
• physical activity
• qualitative research

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the participants of this study and the staff of the Alfred Physiotherapy department who assisted with the recruitment for this study.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest. The institution of one or more of the authors has received funding from the NHMRC and ARC but that funding does not relate to the work in this manuscript. One of the authors received funding for this study from the sales of an educational DVD for managing OA and for sales of the Asics Gel Melbourne OA shoe.