The aims of this thesis were:1. To investigate associations between radiographic OA severity, knee instability, pain and function prior to and after THA and/or TKA.2. To evaluate factors influencing physical activities in patients with end-stage hip or knee OA.3. To identify determinants of return to work after THA or TKA.The research in this thesis showed that the combination of preoperative radiographic OA severity and pain perception of the patient are important predictors for the expected postoperative pain/function outcome due to effect modification. Furthermore, the initial clinical recovery after arthroplasty surgery and preoperative scores can be used during the postoperative recovery period to identify patients at risk for an unfavourable one-year outcome. Besides, it showed that kneeinstability could be considered as an easy identifiable surrogate outcome for poor pain relief and poor function. Furthermore, pain and functional limitations were not associated with an objective technical measurement of physical activity in patients with end-stage hip or knee OA. Finally, we found that preoperative occupational information (more specifically preoperative absence from work) and work-related expectations are important predictors for return to work after THA or TKA.The research projects in this thesis were supported by an unconditional research grant from the Dutch Arthritis Society (ReumaNederland).
The publication of this thesis was kindly supported by:
Universiteit Leiden, Hanssen Footcare, Smith and Nephew, Lima & Link Nederland, Chipsoft.LUMC / Geneeskund
