Are falls associated with psychological issues in patients undergoing orthopaedic total knee or hip replacement surgery?

The aim of the study is to determine whether falls, pain catastrophising, anxiety and depression are associated with poorer post-operative outcomes including falls risk, We will be studying the number of falls, physical function, functional mobility, length of stay, and the need for extra rehabilitation services in patients undergoing total knee and hip joint replacement. Key research questions are: Does falls risk, anxiety and depression preoperatively predict post operative poor outcomes following total knee and hip replacement surgery? Do psychological and physical components have an association in the prediction of falls in the preoperative and post operative periods in the patients having total knee and hip joint replacement? Method: Patients will be assessed preoperatively and fill out questionnaires that relate to function, mental well being and also participate in a physical assessment test that includes a physiological profile score for falls and timed up and go tests. When patients are admitted for the surgery, any falls in the hospital is recorded, length of hospital stay and discharge destination and additional services requirements on discharge also noted. At 6 weeks post operatively all the questionnaires and the physical assessment are repeated.