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

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a grant from the Center for the Treatment and Study of Traumatic Stress, Akron, OH. Preparation of the manuscript was supported, in part, by NIMH grants R34 MH71201 and R34 MH 73014 (DLD). The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance of Keri Pinna with data collection and Kimberly Reeves with qualitative data analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Kent State University Stark Campus, 6000 Frank Ave NW, N Canton, OH, 44720, USA

    Julie K. Cremeans-Smith

  2. Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA

    Jessica M. Boarts & Douglas L. Delahanty

  3. Department of Orthopedics, Summa Health System, Akron, OH, USA

    Kenneth Greene

  4. Department of Psychology in Psychiatry, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM), Rootstown, OH, USA

    Douglas L. Delahanty

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  1. Julie K. Cremeans-Smith
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  2. Jessica M. Boarts
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  3. Kenneth Greene
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  4. Douglas L. Delahanty
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Correspondence to Julie K. Cremeans-Smith.

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Cremeans-Smith, J.K., Boarts, J.M., Greene, K. et al. Patients’ reasons for electing to undergo total knee arthroplasty impact post-operative pain severity and range of motion. J Behav Med 32, 223–233 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-008-9191-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-008-9191-2

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