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Asking the Experts about Knee and Hip Replacements

Who are the real experts about recovery from knee and hip replacement surgery? The patients, of course. The authors of this study went to these experts to test two widespread beliefs about recovery from knee and hip replacement. First, it is widely believed in the medical world that results of knee and hip replacement are equally successful. Second, it is commonly believed that patients feel fatigued for at least a month after joint replacement surgeries like these. The "experts" who were interviewed for this study say both these common beliefs are false.

The study included 107 patients who had hip replacement surgery and 53 who had knee replacement surgery. They answered questions about their pain, function, daily activities, and overall quality of life. The patients answered the same set of questions before surgery, several times in the month after surgery, and again six months later.

The authors found that most patients experienced extra fatigue for less than a week after surgery. The authors also found that hip patients recovered more quickly and fully than knee patients. Notably, both groups reported about the same improvement in their overall wellbeing.

Why the differences in what doctors believe and what knee and hip patients experience? According to the authors, part of the problem is that researchers often ask patients whether they're satisfied with their medical care, rather than asking more detailed questions about mood and general wellbeing. Asking the right questions gives a clearer picture of what patients are truly feeling and how they are getting along.

To compare results between hip and knee patients, the authors suggest that long-term studies should focus on whether knee patients eventually recover to the levels of hip patients. They also conclude that research that lumps hip and knee replacement surgeries into the same category is invalid.

The differences between what doctors believe and what patients experience may not seem like a big deal. But it's important that patients facing surgery know what to expect in their recovery. By asking the experts--their patients--doctors will be better able to guide their patients who require joint replacement surgery of the hip or knee. And they'll be able to dispel myths that negatively influence the recovery of their patients.

References: Peter Salmon, DPhil, FBPsS, et al. Recovery From Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: Patients' Perspective on Pain, Function, Quality of Life, and Well-Being Up to 6 Months Postoperatively. In Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. March 2001. Vol. 82. No. 3. Pp. 360-366.

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