Trajectories of need: understanding patients' use of support during the journey through knee replacement.

AbstractPurpose To explore how the process of undergoing and recovering from knee replacement surgery alters patients’ experiences and use of their support networks. Methods Ten patients having knee replacement surgery for osteoarthritis were invited to take part in in-depth interviews prior to surgery and 2–4 weeks, 6 and 12 months post-operatively. Transcripts were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results Three superordinate themes were identified: (1) relationships with health professionals over the knee replacement journey; (2) implications for informal relationships and support networks and (3) providing support to others. Conclusions Transformation from a person with osteoarthritis to someone recovering from a surgical intervention can lead to alterations in the source, type and level of support people receive from others, and can also change the assistance that they themselves are able to offer. Findings highlight the value of the concept of interdependence to our understand...