A multidisciplinary assessment and intervention for patients awaiting total hip replacement to improve their quality of life

Summary 

The purpose of this small scale study was to determine the efficacy of undertaking a multidisciplinary assessment and intervention to improve the quality of life for patients waiting for a Total Hip Replacement. The waiting list at the time of this study ranged between 3 and 16 months. Patients on the waiting list for total hip replacement were recruited (n=89) then randomly allocated to an intervention group and a control group. The control group received no additional treatment. Those allocated to the intervention group received a multidisciplinary assessment and intervention. The physiotherapist assessed gait analysis and provided an exercise regime to follow, a physical assessment with pre-operative advice from the orthopaedic nurse specialist, pain control evaluation and advice from the nurse specialist in acute pain, and a home visit by the occupational therapist. Quality of life was assessed with the Arthritis Impact Measurement Score 2 and the Nottingham Health Profile. Questionnaires were administered post randomisation and pre surgery.

No definitive conclusions could be drawn on the basis of the inferential statistical results obtained. Statistical significance was shown for only three of the 21 domains assessed, and therefore the null hypothesis had to be accepted. Interpretation of the descriptive data collected during the health professional assessment did however yield important implications for future practice.

Keywords: Multidisciplinary assessment, Pre-operative total hip replacement, Total hip replacement, Joint arthroplasty, Osteoarthritis