Patient Perceptions of Medication Therapy for Prevention of Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Abstract

Objective

Posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) accounts for nearly 12% of osteoarthritis incidences and often occurs after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. Ensuring the uptake of preventive treatments for PTOA requires that investigators and clinicians understand factors influencing patients to seek preventive therapies. This qualitative, descriptive study aimed to assess individuals’ willingness to adopt a medication therapy for PTOA prevention following ACL injury.

Methods

We enrolled participants who had an ACL tear within two years of enrollment. Study individuals participated in a semistructured interview or focus group. We reviewed audio transcriptions for accuracy, and then organized the data inductively, beginning with open coding of audio transcriptions using NVivo 12. Finally, using a qualitative content analysis approach, we identified, revised, and constructed themes and subthemes.

Results

Twenty-five individuals (mean age 25 years, 60% women) participated. Participants were an average of 10 months after injury (mean 310 days, 95% confidence interval [CI] 249–371) and reported a mean Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score pain score of 80.3 (95% CI 74.5–86.2). We identified three main themes related to general treatment for PTOA (eg, unwanted side effects), medication treatment for PTOA (eg, concern about pill size and dose frequency), and clinical trial attributes (eg, time commitment).

Conclusion

Although participants expressed great interest in trying medication therapy for PTOA prevention, there was variability in which components of treatment mattered to them. Our results stress the importance of using qualitative approaches such as this one to inform the design of trials and treatments that real-world patients will pursue with enthusiasm.