Role of Preoperative Information and Education of Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Narrative Review of the Literature.

ABSTRACT

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a common and highly effective surgical procedure used to relieve pain and improve function in patients with severe hip arthritis and other hip disorders. While the surgical techniques and implants used in THA have advanced significantly, the importance of preoperative information and education cannot be overstated. The aim of this narrative review is to explore the effect of preoperative information and education on the outcome of THA. Key components of preoperative education and information include detailed information about the operation itself, the preoperative preparation, the postoperative pain management and rehabilitation, the possibility of postoperative complications, psychosocial support, and answers to frequently asked questions. The results of the study have confirmed the contradictory findings found in the literature concerning the impact of preoperative education on THA clinical outcomes, including pain, anxiety, functionality, postoperative rehabilitation, duration of hospitalization, and rate of complications. While, theoretically, preoperative education should have a positive effect on clinical outcomes, a plethora of studies have failed to support this hypothesis. Thus, there is a great need for properly designed, prospective, randomized, and controlled studies that have sufficient power in order to fully elucidate the role of preoperative education and information on THA outcomes.