Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains the only permanent solution in resolving osteoarthritis pain and dysfunction. Pain control subsequent to TKA remains an important factor in determining outcomes and patient satisfaction. Continued opioid use in lieu of the current opioid epidemic places a burden on patients and providers to improve postoperative pain control, reduce narcotic consumption, and decrease hospital stay. Few alternatives exist in multimodal pain management while reducing narcotic consumption.

Preoperative anxiety has been shown to have widespread adverse effects on perioperative care. Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) in the presence of preoperative anxiety has been shown to negatively affect outcomes, although performance objectives have been obtained. Limited research has been conducted using qualitative methodology to define the concerns related to preoperative anxiety as they relate to TJA. This qualitative study aimed to identify the preoperative concerns of patients leading up to their TJA. Twenty-one patients scheduled for TJA were interviewed the night before their scheduled surgery in a public hospital. Thematic analysis identified 4 main sources of preoperative anxiety: recovery period, surgical complications, outcomes, and hospital period. Accompanying these themes were multiple subthemes reflecting succinct concerns patients have. These themes echo previous literature and identify broader concerns around the recovery period and outcomes. As the number of TJAs increases, this research may benefit existing and ever-evolving future preoperative TJA educational programs. In addition, this research may suggest the further development of interventions aimed at reducing preoperative anxiety in TJA.