Autopercepção da qualidade de vida de pacientes submetidos à artroplastia total do joelho

Abstract

Introduction: Degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis, is, in general, the main cause of physical disability among the elderly. The pain and functional limitation caused by this condition, especially in the lower limbs, present a strong correlation with a reduction in their quality of life. Total knee arthroplasty is a therapeutic procedure with excellent results in knee arthritis, which is increasingly prevalent. Objective: The objective was to assess the quality of life before and after thisprocedure from the patient's perspective.Methods: A qualitative, descriptive study was performed at Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, with 50 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty. The tabulation of data occurred through the use of three methodological figures: central idea, key expressions and collective subject discourse. Results: Significant improvement of pain, functionalgain, greater sensation of safety and less dependence on drugs with analgesic function were the main benefits. Although a portion maintains painful complaints in other segments after the procedure, the satisfaction with the prosthesis was significant among the patients, with original descriptions about the quality of life in the two moments, exemplifying this finding. Conclusion: Satisfaction with total knee arthroplasty is significant among patients in several domains, clearly visible in a qualitative exploration.