Pre-Op Predictors of Total Knee Arthroplasty: Feasibility Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Pre-Operative Quantitative Sensory Testing and Psychological status as Predictors of Post-Operative Outcomes in Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients: A Feasibility Study
IRAS ID
358893
Contact name
Catherine Hanratty
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Ulster
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Knee osteoarthritis is a painful and disabling condition that affects millions of people worldwide. When symptoms no longer respond to treatments like physiotherapy or medication, people may be offered a knee replacement operation (also known as total knee arthroplasty or TKA). While many patients benefit from this surgery, around 1 in 5 continue to have long-term pain afterwards, which can affect mobility, independence, and mental wellbeing.
This research study aims to explore whether certain pre-operative tests can help identify which patients are most at risk of poor recovery. The study will assess two types of pre-surgery tests: Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST), which involves applying gentle heat, cold and pressure to measure how the body processes pain, and psychological questionnaires, which look at mood, anxiety, and how people think about pain.
Understanding how people respond to these tests before surgery may help healthcare teams predict who will do well after surgery and who might need extra support. However, these assessments are not currently part of routine care. This project is a feasibility study, which means it will test whether it is practical to carry out these assessments as part of normal hospital appointments and whether patients are comfortable taking part.
The study will involve 30 adults awaiting knee replacement surgery within the Western Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland. Participants will complete the tests at their standard pre-operative appointment, and then be followed up with short questionnaires three months after surgery. A small number will be invited to take part in an optional online interview to give feedback about their experience.
This study is funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE) and will be conducted, under academic supervision, by a PhD student researcher, who is also a qualified physiotherapist, registered with the Health Care Professions Council.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
25/NI/0137
Date of REC Opinion
1 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion