Needs Assessment for Home Modification and Risk Factors for Home Unintentional Injuries in Post-total Knee Arthroplasty Patients.

Abstract

Objectives: Home assessment and modification are crucial to prevent fall and fall-related injuries, especially in vulnerable subjects. This study assessed the need for home modifications and investigated risk factors associated with home injuries in post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients.

Methods: This study was conducted at the university hospital from July 2022 to July 2023. The patients who had undergone TKA without perioperative complications were recruited. The demographics, clinical data, home environmental factors, needs for home modification, and factors related to home unintentional injury were collected at 2 weeks postoperatively. The analysis was done by using descriptive statistics, and logistic regression.

Results: A total of 140 patients were included. The occurrence of falls within 2 weeks after TKA was 33.57%. The location of falls was the home entrance (29.09%), living room (23.64%), and bathroom (18.18%). About 38.5% of the patients explicitly needed home modifications. Falls were associated with inefficient grab bars [adjusted odds ratio=3.26, 95% CI=1.37-7.81, P=0.008] and lighting (adjusted odds ratio=12.83, 95% CI=1.36-121.34, P=0.026).

Conclusions: Falls among post-TKA patients were frequently occurred. Preoperative home assessment and home modifications should be done in order to minimize risks of falls, particularly in common locations.