Kinesiophobia and Artificial Joint Awareness After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

Background: Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is a commonly performed surgical procedure designed to alleviate pain and disability from knee arthritis. This study aims to explore the psychological aftermath of TKA, focusing on Kinesiophobia (fear of movement) and joint awareness. Objective: To investigate the relationship between Kinesiophobia and the awareness of an artificial joint in patients post-TKA. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 64 patients aged 45-64 who underwent TKA 6-12 months prior. Exclusion criteria included other lower extremity surgeries, infection, or history of TKR revision or dislocation. The Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) and the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) were used for evaluation. Data analysis was performed using SPSS. Results: The study revealed a significant negative correlation between FJS and TSK scores (r = –0.375; p = 0.002), indicating that higher Kinesiophobia levels correlate with increased artificial joint awareness. Additionally, 20.31% of participants had Kinesiophobia and 79.69% had severe Kinesiophobia, with a notable female predominance (84.4%). The mean FJS score was 28.63 (±22.469), and the mean TSK score was 41.10 (±18.68), suggesting a moderate level of Kinesiophobia with wide variability among participants. Conclusion: The study concludes a significant negative relationship between Kinesiophobia and artificial joint awareness post-TKA, highlighting the psychological impact of TKA on patients. These findings emphasize the need for considering psychological factors in post-operative care and rehabilitation.