Older adults’ postoperative pain medication usage after total knee arthroplasty: A qualitative descriptive study

Abstract

Patient modifications to medication regimens are often labeled as patient nonadherence; however, participants in this study considered their actions to be adaptive. This conceptual distinction has practical implications for healthcare providers. These findings emphasize the importance of having TKA patients develop their pain management regimen in conjunction with healthcare providers so that regimens can be tailored to individual needs.

In their own words: A short report of patients' experiences of recovering from total knee replacement

“…Of particular interest was that participants did not always use the medication provided for pain control because of concerns related to side effects and dependence. There is limited published research on patients' post‐TKR experiences with pain medication adherence (Bremner, Webster, Katz, Watt‐Watson, & McCartney, ). Findings from the current study and those of Bremner et al () indicate that more patient education is needed to allay patients' concerns about dependence and addiction and to ensure that pain is properly managed during recovery, particularly during physiotherapy.…”

“…There is limited published research on patients' post‐TKR experiences with pain medication adherence (Bremner, Webster, Katz, Watt‐Watson, & McCartney, ). Findings from the current study and those of Bremner et al () indicate that more patient education is needed to allay patients' concerns about dependence and addiction and to ensure that pain is properly managed during recovery, particularly during physiotherapy. Managing postoperative pain, disrupted sleep and concerns about the long‐term outcomes of pain medication may be critical indicators for how patients set or reset their expectations for recovery.…”

Patient perspectives of pain and function after knee replacement: a systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies

“… 36 , 40 Analgesia was often consumed before activity, but not always afterwards when pain returned, demonstrating stoicism 36 or acceptance of postactivity pain. Participants also persevered without analgesia 10 pushing through painful activities (therapy). 40 Declining medication was explained in context of their social situation, 35 pain levels, pain management beliefs, avoidance of opioids, 10 mindset, upbringing, or to allow natural healing to occur.…”

Communication About Chronic Pain in Older Persons' Social Networks: Study Protocol of a Qualitative Approach

“…This is the condition to be able to observe potential trends related to social affiliations known to affect the health care and communication, such as gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic level, and age ( 60 ). The variables of place of residence (living at home or in a care home), the fact of living alone or with somebody, and having children or not will be added to the study criteria, based on previous studies ( 10 , 43 , 61 – 63 ) and on the observations made during the pilot study. The sample should encompass at least 10 individuals belonging to the same group for each criterion (for instance, at least 10 men out of the 40 participants recruited, at least 10 persons whose primary socialization was not in Switzerland, at least 10 persons without children, etc.).…”