Beyond the Pain: An Occupational Perspective on Knee Osteoarthritis

Total knee replacement (TKR) is an increasingly common surgery among individuals with osteoarthritis (OA). The outcomes of this surgery are positive; yet, many individuals do not fully resume their pre-TKR occupations. Literature is limited to describing the activity changes that occur but does not investigate the significance of those changes. A secondary analysis of eight purposively extracted transcripts from a primary study examining engagement in instrumental activities of daily living and personal and social roles among people with OA scheduled for surgery was conducted. A thematic analysis approach was used to examine the pre-TKR experiences of these individuals from an occupational perspective. Three themes were identified: (1) living with OA: it is more than just the knee, (2) gradually losing my occupational identity, and (3) losing too much—a “tipping point.” The findings suggest that the significance of occupational changes are unique across individuals and affect their decision for surgery.