Relationship between preoperative hip range of motion and anxiety about dislocation after total hip arthroplasty

Abstract

Purpose

Following total hip arthroplasty (THA), anxiety about dislocation often limits patient's quality of life. However, the factors that cause anxiety about dislocation remain unclear. This study was an investigation of whether limited range of motion (ROM) at the hip before surgery is associated with anxiety about dislocation after THA.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed using questionnaires and medical records. Questionnaires were mailed to 796 female patients who underwent THA at our hospital between April 2015 and August 2020. The questionnaire was to be self-administered and asked participants to select their level of anxiety about dislocation during activities of daily living from the following answer choices: non-anxious, anxious, and extremely anxious. Hip ROM was measured within 3 days before surgery. The association between anxiety about dislocation and hip ROM was evaluated using logistic regression analysis after adjusting for potentially relevant factors.

Results

In total, 513 (64.4%) patients responded to the questionnaire and were included in the analysis. Those patients who reporting feeling extremely anxious about dislocation after THA had limited hip flexion ROM. This association was independent of surgical approach and postoperative follow-up duration. A ROM of less than 80° during hip flexion was used to identify those respondents who reported extreme anxiety about dislocation.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that patients with a limited hip flexion ROM before THA may be extremely anxious about dislocation after THA.