Reasons for Dissatisfaction after Primary Elective Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: Protocol for a Cross-Sectional Survey

Background: Up to one fifth of patients undergoing lower limb arthroplasty are not satisfied with the result of surgery. Previous studies have found associations between dissatisfaction and persistent postsurgical pain, but it is unclear what causes dissatisfaction. In the survey study described in this protocol, we aim to map the reasons for dissatisfaction 4 years after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), and total knee arthroplasty (TKA), as reported by the patients. Methods: For this nationwide cross-sectional survey, we will include adults (aged ≥ 18 years), who underwent primary elective THA between March 1 and May 31, 2022, or UKA or TKA between August 1 and November 30, 2022, for primary osteoarthritis. To ensure high accuracy, we will include patients only if they are registered in both the Danish National Patient Register and in the Danish Knee or Hip Arthroplasty Register. Patients who have previously reported to be dissatisfied at 1 year postoperatively as well as a group of age- and sex-matched (1:1) patients who were satisfied at 1 year postoperatively. Patients who have undergone revision surgery will not be invited. The patients’ responses, i.e. reasons for dissatisfaction, will be analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis and reported separately for THA, UKA and TKA patients. Knowledge dissemination: The results will be published open access in an international peer reviewed journal.