Beneficial and limiting factors in return to work after primary total knee replacement: Patients' perspective.
T M J Pahlplatz, M U Schafroth, C Krijger and 4 others
PMID 34180460WHAT IT FOUND
Patients identified four themes influencing return to work: rehabilitation, patient factors, occupational factors, and medical support.
Physical therapists who coached gently and set realistic expectations were most helpful. Patients needed control over their work pace and felt surgeons often lacked knowledge of their specific job demands.
Key findings
01Physical therapists were seen as beneficial when they coached patients through pain and stress, but limiting if they pushed too hard or ignored patient hesitation.
02Patients found a phased return to work with control over tasks and hours beneficial, while high workloads, standing tasks, and employer pressure were limiting.
03Patients reported that medical support, particularly from surgeons, lacked information about return to work and failed to account for their specific work and medical history.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study was conducted in two Dutch hospitals, so findings may not apply to healthcare systems where postoperative physical therapy is not covered by insurance. There is potential selection bias, although participants included those who had not yet returned to work. The study relies on patient perspectives and does not measure actual return-to-work rates or clinical outcomes. The sample size was small (17 participants), limiting generalizability.
Declared interests
The authors have no conflict of interest to report.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these themes as evidence that specific interventions improve return-to-work rates. This is a qualitative study describing patient perspectives on factors they found helpful or hindering, not a trial testing efficacy.