Is life Easier and More Pleasurable after Total Hip Arthroplasty?

Background: Evaluation of outcome of surgeries has shifted to self-evaluation. Health outcome should be defined for each case and be measured by valid and standardized tools. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of THA on various aspects of patients’ life, including their social, familial, and psychological activities, as well as their physical performance. METHODS: This study evaluated 220 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty because of hip joint osteoarthritis in Baqhiatallah university hospitals, Tehran and Kashani hospital, Isfahan from 1998 to 2008. Control group included 220 patients of the same age group admitted in hospitals and orthopedic clinics because of hip joint osteoarthritis and have not undergone arthroplasty until now. Patients were evaluated thoroughly by “Short form of general health status” (SF-36), “The Disease Specific Symptom (WOMAC)” Questionnaire, the “Arthritis Patient Preference Disability” Questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean scores of SF-36 and Womac questionnaires were 53.07 ± 18.43 and 63.02 ± 17.42 respectively for control group, while the determined scores for control group were 81.3± 16.31 and 42.53± 18.73, respectively. The scores obtained from these two questionnaires showed a 23.3% improvement in general health status and an 18.1% improvement in specific symptom of the disease in case group. The two groups had a significant difference considering these two parameters (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Total hip arthroplasty increased quality of life,improved function and produced great satisfaction in the majority of cases in our society