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- Talk
- 15/06/2021
- Canada
Understanding the Meaning of ‘Recovery’ Following Total Ankle Replacement and Ankle Fusion: A Qualitative Study
Description
In this presentation, Ellie Pinsker addresses the significance of understanding recovery after total ankle replacement and ankle fusion. Acknowledging the severe pain and functional limitations caused by ankle arthritis, she discusses the two main salvage procedures available when conservative treatments fail: ankle fusion and ankle replacement. Pinsker emphasizes the need for appropriate outcome measurements to truly reflect the impact of these surgeries on patients' lives, critiquing the existing literature for its limited focus on qualitative aspects of patient recovery.
The study aims to shed light on outcomes essential to patients, based on descriptive phenomenology conducted with 25 participants who were at least one year post-surgery. The data collection involved individual interviews, and the analytical process highlighted the relationships among patients' experiences and perceptions of what recovery means to them, which were not solely based on physiological changes but rather on personal appraisals and coping strategies.
Among the findings, patients navigated their recovery through behavioral adjustments, and some even redefined what 'being better' meant in light of ongoing limitations. Pinsker outlines four distinct recovery states identified among participants: those with minimal impairments, individuals who avoided less important activities, those who adjusted their behavior to accommodate ongoing issues, and others who cognitively coped by altering their goals and expectations.
Ultimately, the presentation underscores the necessity for improved outcome measures that account for various recovery states, positing that understanding recovery can elucidate the effectiveness of treatments in the long-run. Pinsker concludes by highlighting the importance of this research in instrument development, aligned with guidelines from the FDA and COSMIN.