Evaluation of patient quality of life after total hip arthroplasty

Objectives: We evaluated the effect of total hip arthro¬plasty on patient quality of life. Methods: The study included 30 patients (6 men, 24 women; mean age 62 years; range 36 to 82 years) undergoing total hip arthroplasty. The Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36- Item Health Survey (SF-36) was administered to the patients before and after 1.5 and 3 months of surgery. Special attention was given to provide the patients with sufficient information on surgery and postoperative rehabilitation program. Results: All the patients returned to their daily activi¬ties within six weeks postoperatively. SF-36 scores ob¬tained after three months of surgery showed significant improvement in all SF-36 subscales compared to those obtained preoperatively and 1.5 months after surgery (p<0.05). Postoperative patient satisfaction was not cor¬related with sex, age, socioeconomic status, and educa¬tion level of the patients. The presence of accompanying diseases or previous operations did not affect postopera¬tive quality of life scores. Conclusion: Quality of life of patients increases substan¬tially following total hip arthroplasty, with a correspond¬ing increase in patient satisfaction.