Investigating the impact of hip and knee replacement surgery on the quality of life of nursing home residents: a preliminary study

Introduction
The world’s population is rapidly aging, leading to a surge in the prevalence of chronic joint diseases. Hip and knee replacement surgeries have become a common treatment for these conditions, offering significant improvements in the quality of life for older adults by restoring mobility and reducing pain.

Aim of the research
The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of hip and knee replacement surgeries on the quality of life of nursing home residents, considering variations among patient groups and emphasising the importance of personalised rehabilitation care.

Material and methods
The study included 117 residents of a nursing home in the Mazovian voivodeship (Poland), during the first half of 2024. The study was conducted by means of a diagnostic survey; the tool was a self-administered survey questionnaire and the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, which contains 26 questions analysing 4 domains of life and, separately, perception of quality of life and self-assessment of health status.

Results
The findings revealed that residents who underwent hip replacements reported higher levels of life satisfaction across physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains compared to those with knee replacements. Age and gender were identified as significant factors impacting life satisfaction in various domains.

Conclusions
The study demonstrated distinct impacts of lower limb orthopaedic surgeries on the quality of life among nursing home residents, emphasising the necessity for personalised rehabilitation strategies tailored to different patient groups.