Relevant Predictors in the Association Between Patients' Functional Status and Scar Outcomes After Total Hip Arthroplasty

Background: We aimed to investigate the relevant predictors in the association between the functional status and the consequences of the persistence of scars in patients with traumatic versus non-traumatic coxarthrosis after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods: A total of 203 patients undergoing THA after traumatic or non-traumatic coxarthrosis were asked to complete the Mekeres' Psychosocial Internalization Scale (MPIS), in which they self-evaluated on a Likert scale (between one and five) by selecting the rating that corresponded to their personal opinion and the activities of daily living (ADL) form at six months postoperative. The statistical data were processed using the IBM SPSS Statistics software version 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). A combined assessment of the internalization of scars using MPIS and ADL forms after THA allowed for the identification of relevant predictors of the quality of life six months post-surgery in patients with traumatic or non-traumatic coxarthrosis. Results: Depending on the coxarthrosis etiology (traumatic or non-traumatic), the results were further processed by a univariate ANOVA, considering the independent variables represented by symptoms, the number of surgical procedures, and the postoperative evolution, which are acting on the outcomes of physical functioning (the dependent variable) in the postoperative phase. In the case of the traumatic group, our results suggest that the number of surgical interventions, the ability to internalize scars, and autonomy in terms of body care are predictors of the quality of life. In patients with non-traumatic coxarthrosis, an important role in predicting quality of life is played by the administered treatment and the ability to maintain their autonomy regarding self-hygiene six months post-surgery. Conclusions: The predictive regression equation suggests that the quality of life in patients with traumatic coxarthrosis can be predicted by the number of surgical interventions, the administered treatment, the ability to internalize scars, and the autonomy regarding body care activities. On the other hand, for patients with non-traumatic coxarthrosis, an important role in predicting the quality of life is played by the treatment and the ability to maintain autonomy in terms of body hygiene activities.