Young Hip: an exploration into young patients’ (aged > 50 years) expectations following primary total hip arthroplasty: a qualitative study

Aims: Total hip arthroplasties (THAs) are common operations performed in orthopaedics. Though initially developed to address hip conditions in older patients, demand in younger patients is increasing. Research in older populations informs current practice, and it is unclear if outcome priorities are...

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Main Authors: Louise E Mew, Vanessa Heaslip, Tikki Immins, Thomas W Wainwright
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery 2025-07-01
Series:Bone & Joint Open
Subjects:
Online Access:https://online.boneandjoint.org.uk/doi/epdf/10.1302/2633-1462.67.BJO-2025-0013.R1
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author Louise E Mew
Vanessa Heaslip
Tikki Immins
Thomas W Wainwright
author_facet Louise E Mew
Vanessa Heaslip
Tikki Immins
Thomas W Wainwright
author_sort Louise E Mew
collection DOAJ
description Aims: Total hip arthroplasties (THAs) are common operations performed in orthopaedics. Though initially developed to address hip conditions in older patients, demand in younger patients is increasing. Research in older populations informs current practice, and it is unclear if outcome priorities are the same in younger patients. The study’s aim was to explore the expectations and priorities of younger patients’ (aged < 50 years) undergoing THA. Methods: Using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) methodology, ten patients were recruited from one UK hospital. Semistructured interviews occurred at three timepoints (pre-surgery, six weeks, and six months post-surgery). This study has been reported using the COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research (COREQ). Results: Six themes were identified: ‘I’m just constantly in pain’, ‘Giving up hope’, ‘Living a process that does not reflect me’, ‘This is not who I’m meant to be’, ‘My family didn’t sign up for this’, and ‘I can’t do anything’. Some themes were independent of patient age, such as pain, and experiences of healthcare. However, other findings may be more imperative to the younger patient than the older patient. Conclusion: The Young Hip study highlighted aspects currently overlooked in younger THA patients. Participants were aware that they were not the accepted patient profile for THA, and expressed having to fight to be heard. Function was considered in terms of responsibilities and roles in society, rather than traditional clinical perceptions of mobility. The findings demonstrated that current care pathways are not fully addressing the needs of younger THA patients. Further development of a personalized THA pathway, allowing for more focus on person-centred care, could address issues raised by this study, more effectively supporting younger patients. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2025;6(7):807–815.
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spelling doaj-art-4e67652b52f8461dac828ba8d178f3572025-08-20T03:09:31ZengThe British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint SurgeryBone & Joint Open2633-14622025-07-016780781510.1302/2633-1462.67.BJO-2025-0013.R1Young Hip: an exploration into young patients’ (aged > 50 years) expectations following primary total hip arthroplasty: a qualitative studyLouise E Mew0Vanessa Heaslip1Tikki Immins2Thomas W Wainwright3Milton Keynes University Hospital, Milton Keynes, UKEquity School of Nursing and Society, University of Salford, Salford, UKOrthopaedic Research Institute, Bournemouth University, Poole, UKOrthopaedic Research Institute, Bournemouth University, Poole, UKAims: Total hip arthroplasties (THAs) are common operations performed in orthopaedics. Though initially developed to address hip conditions in older patients, demand in younger patients is increasing. Research in older populations informs current practice, and it is unclear if outcome priorities are the same in younger patients. The study’s aim was to explore the expectations and priorities of younger patients’ (aged < 50 years) undergoing THA. Methods: Using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) methodology, ten patients were recruited from one UK hospital. Semistructured interviews occurred at three timepoints (pre-surgery, six weeks, and six months post-surgery). This study has been reported using the COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research (COREQ). Results: Six themes were identified: ‘I’m just constantly in pain’, ‘Giving up hope’, ‘Living a process that does not reflect me’, ‘This is not who I’m meant to be’, ‘My family didn’t sign up for this’, and ‘I can’t do anything’. Some themes were independent of patient age, such as pain, and experiences of healthcare. However, other findings may be more imperative to the younger patient than the older patient. Conclusion: The Young Hip study highlighted aspects currently overlooked in younger THA patients. Participants were aware that they were not the accepted patient profile for THA, and expressed having to fight to be heard. Function was considered in terms of responsibilities and roles in society, rather than traditional clinical perceptions of mobility. The findings demonstrated that current care pathways are not fully addressing the needs of younger THA patients. Further development of a personalized THA pathway, allowing for more focus on person-centred care, could address issues raised by this study, more effectively supporting younger patients. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2025;6(7):807–815.https://online.boneandjoint.org.uk/doi/epdf/10.1302/2633-1462.67.BJO-2025-0013.R1total hip arthroplastyhip replacementqualitative researchperson-centred carehipprimary total hip arthroplastytotal hip arthroplasties (thas)hip arthroplastiesclinicianspatient-reported outcome measures (proms)healthcare professionalsrevision surgerieselective orthopaedic surgeriesosteoarthritis
spellingShingle Louise E Mew
Vanessa Heaslip
Tikki Immins
Thomas W Wainwright
Young Hip: an exploration into young patients’ (aged > 50 years) expectations following primary total hip arthroplasty: a qualitative study
Bone & Joint Open
total hip arthroplasty
hip replacement
qualitative research
person-centred care
hip
primary total hip arthroplasty
total hip arthroplasties (thas)
hip arthroplasties
clinicians
patient-reported outcome measures (proms)
healthcare professionals
revision surgeries
elective orthopaedic surgeries
osteoarthritis
title Young Hip: an exploration into young patients’ (aged > 50 years) expectations following primary total hip arthroplasty: a qualitative study
title_full Young Hip: an exploration into young patients’ (aged > 50 years) expectations following primary total hip arthroplasty: a qualitative study
title_fullStr Young Hip: an exploration into young patients’ (aged > 50 years) expectations following primary total hip arthroplasty: a qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Young Hip: an exploration into young patients’ (aged > 50 years) expectations following primary total hip arthroplasty: a qualitative study
title_short Young Hip: an exploration into young patients’ (aged > 50 years) expectations following primary total hip arthroplasty: a qualitative study
title_sort young hip an exploration into young patients aged 50 years expectations following primary total hip arthroplasty a qualitative study
topic total hip arthroplasty
hip replacement
qualitative research
person-centred care
hip
primary total hip arthroplasty
total hip arthroplasties (thas)
hip arthroplasties
clinicians
patient-reported outcome measures (proms)
healthcare professionals
revision surgeries
elective orthopaedic surgeries
osteoarthritis
url https://online.boneandjoint.org.uk/doi/epdf/10.1302/2633-1462.67.BJO-2025-0013.R1
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AT tikkiimmins younghipanexplorationintoyoungpatientsaged50yearsexpectationsfollowingprimarytotalhiparthroplastyaqualitativestudy
AT thomaswwainwright younghipanexplorationintoyoungpatientsaged50yearsexpectationsfollowingprimarytotalhiparthroplastyaqualitativestudy