Understanding Patient Barriers and Facilitators to Healthy Eating and Physical Activity before and after Knee Replacement

Christine Pellegrini¹, Gwendolyn Ledford¹, Rowland W. Chang² and Kenzie Cameron³, ¹Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, ²Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, ³General Internal Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL

Meeting: 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

Date of first publication: September 28, 2016

Keywords: arthroplasty and exercise, Knee

Session Information

Date: Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Title: Orthopedics, Low Back Pain and Rehabilitation - ARHP Poster

Session Type: ACR Poster Session C

Session Time: 9:00AM-11:00AM

Background/Purpose: Knee replacement typically results in reduced pain and improved physical function, yet post-operative physical activity levels often remain unchanged. Many patients also gain weight following surgery, yet no weight management programs exist for this population. We sought to identify patient-reported barriers and facilitators to healthy eating and physical activity among patients before or after knee replacement.

Methods: Twenty patients with knee osteoarthritis between 40-79 years who had a knee replacement surgery scheduled or completed within 3 months were interviewed. Interview topics included perceived barriers and facilitators to healthy eating and physical activity, both before or after knee replacement. Interviews were coded and analyzed using constant comparative analysis.

Results: Interviews were completed by 11 pre-operative and 9 post-operative patients (overall mean 64.7±9.8 years, 45% female, 90% White, BMI 30.8±5.5 kg/m²). The most common barriers to healthy eating identified were desire for high fat/calorie foods, overconsumption, and mood. Time-related factors (i.e., planning meals, making time to grocery shop) and portion control were identified as facilitators to healthy eating. Barriers for activity included pain, physical limitations, and lack of motivation, whereas facilitators included having motivation to improve knee symptoms/outcomes, building activity habits, and monitoring activity levels.

Conclusion: Identifying the specific barriers and facilitators influencing eating and activity behaviors provides critical insight from the patient perspective which will aid in developing a patient-centered weight loss program for knee replacement patients. Understanding these factors could guide clinician discussions encouraging weight loss pre- or post-operatively in overweight and obese knee replacement patients.

Disclosure: C. Pellegrini, NIH, 2; G. Ledford, None; R. W. Chang, NIH, 2; K. Cameron, None.

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

Pellegrini C, Ledford G, Chang RW, Cameron K. Understanding Patient Barriers and Facilitators to Healthy Eating and Physical Activity before and after Knee Replacement [abstract]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2016; 68 (suppl 10). https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/understanding-patient-barriers-and-facilitators-to-healthy-eating-and-physical-activity-before-and-after-knee-replacement/. Accessed .

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