Quality of life and hip function during the first month after total hip arthroplasty

Background: Fast-track surgery has been introduced for the treatment of patients receiving total hip arthroplasty. There is, however, a lack of knowledge on how well patients cope with the fast-track surgery set-up in relation to total hip arthroplasty. Methods: In 32 primary total hip arthroplasties, patient reported outcome parameters were monitored preoperatively and prospectively during 31 days postoperatively. Results: During the first month postoperatively, the Oxford Hip Score improved from 49 +/- 2.9 to 73 +/- 5.4 (P < 0.001). Pain decreased both at rest (4.3 +/- 0.5 compared with 1.4 +/- 0.2; P < 0.001) and during activity (7.3 +/- 0.3 compared with 2.1 +/- 0.3; P < 0.001). To this end, patients' daily use of prescribed analgesia increased by 11% compared with preoperative consumption and use of over-thecounter analgesia increased 21%. EQ5D index values improved from (0.63 +/- 0.02 to 0.78 +/- 0.03; P < 0.001). Fewer patients exceeded the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ( HADS) criteria in both the anxiety subscale ( 9 compared with 2; P < 0.001) and the depression subscale (5 compared with 2; P < 0.001). Willingness to repeat treatment was 100%. Six percent of the patients could imagine the surgery being performed outpatient. Conclusions: During the first month after total hip arthroplasty, the Oxford Hip Score, quality of life, and pain were improved. However, more patients needed analgesia at 1 mo postoperatively. Patient satisfaction was high in our fast-track setup.