The quality of life in patients after hip endoprosthesis implementation

Introduction
The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life in patients who underwent hip joint endoprosthesis implementation, prior and 6 weeks after the surgery.

Material and methods
The study included 89 patients who were qualified for the elective endoprosthesis implementation procedure, aged between 27 and 84 years. The participants were hospitalized in the Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery and afterward were under the care of the Orthopedic Outpatient Clinic of Autonomous Public Provincial Polyclinical Hospital in Szczecin. To conduct analysis, the SF-36 questionnaire and the author’s own questionnaire were used.

Results
Both sociodemographic (age, sex, level of education) and certain medical variables (BMI, pain, concomitant diseases, Yesing pain medication) had an influence on improvement in the quality of life after the surgery. Marital status, place of residence, physical activity, and previous implementation of endoprostheses did not impact the quality-of-life improvement.

Conclusions
Patients in the study showed a significant improvement in the quality of life after the hip endoprosthesis implementation in comparison with the period predeceasing the surgery. The elderly achieved above all improved physical functioning, women – better mental health, and individuals with low-level education experienced improvements in physical functioning. Participating in rehabilitation before the surgery considerably improved patient’s general perception of health after the procedure. The implementation of endoprosthesis substantially relieved pain – the life quality of patients who experienced severe pain before the surgery greatly improved after the surgery, and individuals who suffer from second-degree obesity reported a significant improvement in terms of pain.