Impact of Ethnicity and Deprivation on Total Knee Replacement Outcomes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Do ethnic and sociodemographic factors influence clinical outcomes after total knee replacement? A prospective cohort study.
IRAS ID
365130
Contact name
Hayley Jennings
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Total knee replacement (TKR) is a common operation for knee osteoarthritis. It usually reduces pain and improves movement, but not everyone recovers in the same way. Studies suggest that people’s background and circumstances such as their ethnicity, preferred language, or the area they live in can be linked to differences in recovery. This may relate to access to services, communication barriers, or wider social factors.
This study will explore whether ethnicity and socio-demographic factors are associated with recovery and outcomes after TKR. It will take place at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Birmingham, which serves a diverse population.
Adults having an elective (planned) primary knee replacement will be invited to take part before their surgery. Taking part is voluntary and will not affect the care they receive. People who are interested will be given a study information pack and will have the chance to ask questions. If someone prefers a language other than English, a professional interpreter can support the discussion.
Participants will be asked to complete short questionnaires at two time points: before surgery (baseline) and six months after surgery. These include standard “patient-reported outcome measures” (PROMs) (questionnaires about symptoms and health), covering pain, function and general wellbeing. We will also ask about ethnicity, language and other background information. With permission, we will collect some relevant information from medical records (for example, details about health conditions and treatment).
By comparing outcomes before and after surgery, we aim to understand whether recovery differs between groups and what factors may help explain any differences. Findings will be shared with patients, hospital teams and local health partners to support more equitable rehabilitation and follow-up after knee replacement. The study will run for approximately 12 months and is funded by the Private Physiotherapy Education Fund (PPEF).
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/PR/0095
Date of REC Opinion
3 Feb 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion