Are the history of traumatic experiences and pain-related cognitions and emotions associated with pain and disability before and after total hip arthroplasty? a preliminary analysis

Abstract

Background and aims The aim of this study was to investigate whether traumatic experiences and preoperative pain-related cognitions and emotions are related to pain and disability before and after total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods Ten patients with hip osteoarthritis (mean age: 59.60±13.70) were included in the preliminary analysis of a larger prospective study(N=200). Traumatic experiences were assessed preoperatively with the Traumatic Experiences Checklist and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Pain-related cognitions and emotions were assessed preoperatively with the Fear-Avoidance Component Scale and the Injustice Experience Questionnaire. The Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score was used to assess pain and disability before and three months after THA. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated.

Results Preoperative fear-avoidance showed a high positive correlation with pre-and postoperative pain and disability (.729 and .867, respectively). The presence of childhood trauma or perceived injustice was not significantly correlated with preoperative pain and disability, but showed significant positive correlations with postoperative pain and disability (.722 and .646, respectively). No significant correlation was found between the Traumatic Experiences Checklist and pre-or postoperative pain and disability.

Conclusion Preoperative fear-avoidance showed a high positive correlation with pre-and postoperative pain and disability in persons with hip osteoarthritis/after THA. While no association was found preoperatively, childhood trauma and perceived injustice were positively correlated with postoperative pain and disability. Given the small sample size, these preliminary results should be interpreted cautiously. Future research will investigate the above associations, and the prognostic value of traumatic experiences and pain-related cognitions and emotions for pain and disability after THA in a larger sample size.