Article

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.

Langue : ANGLAIS