Does the Impact of Joint Arthroplasty Extend Beyond the Patient? The Effect of Total Joint Arthroplasty on Patient's Significant Others.

Background: This prospective cohort study evaluates the impact of total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty on patient's spouses/significant others (SSOs).
Methods: Patients and SSOs were provided similar outcome metrics (Global Health Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System, Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement) at preoperative and postoperative visits. Pearson correlation was used to evaluate scores.
Results: Our sample included 99 patients (58 total hip arthroplasties and 41 total knee arthroplasties). We found strong correlation between patient and SSO mental status scores. We found moderate correlation for some physical function domains.
Conclusion: SSOs closely share total joint arthroplasty patient's mental and even some of the physical burden of disease and recovery.
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