Quality of life assessment of patients with knee osteoarthritis waiting for a total knee arthroplasty

Abstract

The aim of this research study is to assess the quality of life of Maltese elderly patients with knee osteoaiihritis waiting to undergo total knee replacement. The aim was achieved through the following objectives: to assess the functions of daily living of the knee osteoarthritis patient and thus the evaluation of the physical functioning, social functioning and limitations due to physical problems and the effect of pain on the quality of life of patient with knee osteoarthritis. Quantitative data was collected through the use of the Oxford Knee Score questionnaires consisting of closed ended questionnaires. The questionnaire was administered to 30 conveniently selected patients with knee osteoarthritis in the list, waiting for a total knee arthroplasty. The research study was conducted in the general wards in a General Hospital in Gozo and in the waiting area of the orthopaedic pre assessment clinic in a General hospital in Malta. The response rate for this research study was 100%. Data was analysed quantitatively manually while bar chart and tables were used to illustrate better the results. The findings suggest that knee osteoarthritis affects the quality of life of the patients. The findings explored the quality of health in relation to the physical functioning, social functioning, the effect of pain and limitations due to physical problems. The findings showed that pain is the major component that affects the participant's quality of life. Functional abilities effected included the problems due to knee pain in bed at night which showed that most of the patients have this problem, the trouble in washing or drying themselves, ability to kneel down and get up again afterward and the feeling of having their knee suddenly give away or letting them down. An activity like climbing down the stairs was also found to be affecting most of the participants (n=19). Social limitations are also effected when using the car or using public transport. The results also indicated that there was an interference with the usual work affected by knee osteoarthritis this mainly affected 6 females. In conclusion some recommendations for further research, education and practice were considered. The introduction of using the Oxford Knee Score in Malta could be beneficial for assessing patients and also setting some kind of support for people suffering from osteoarthritis before the operation and after total knee arthroplasty could give them a more independent life in the community. An introductory educational course to all orthopaedic nurses could help them and also the patients to have a better understanding of their growing needs. An increase in public awareness of the disease could help minimize the effect. It is suggested that further research studies are conducted using a random sampling approach on a larger scale. Moreover, further qualitative research is carried out using a qualitative questionnaire or interviews for in depth evaluation of perceptions and feelings of participants.