Digital Follow‐Up After Total Knee Arthroplasty: An Interview Study Among Orthopaedic Surgeons
- 1IQ Health Science Department, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
- 2Research and Development Department, Interactive Studios, 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.
- 3Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sports & Orthopedics Research Centre, Anna Hospital, Geldrop, the Netherlands.
Abstract
Background
Traditionally, patients who undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are scheduled for an in-person routine follow-up (RFU) regimen. Increasing pressure on orthopaedic services and growing acceptance of digital health technologies urge clinics to adopt more efficient RFU strategies. However, limited insight exists into how RFU after TKA is organised in clinical practice and under which conditions digital follow-up is acceptable to orthopaedic surgeons. This study explored current RFU practices after TKA and examined surgeons' perspectives on digital follow-up.Methods
A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted with 21 orthopaedic surgeons from different healthcare institutions. Interviews were conducted digitally, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using qualitative analysis software. Two researchers independently coded the transcripts, after which the codes were compared, refined, and grouped into overarching themes.Results
Four main themes emerged. (1) RFU after TKA was highly fragmented across institutions, with variation in timing, contact modality, responsible healthcare provider, and use of radiographic assessment. (2) Follow-up visits were primarily perceived as a means to confirm uncomplicated recovery and detect complications early. (3) Digital follow-up was viewed not as a replacement for in-person visits but as an additional triage strategy to support decisions on physical consultation. (4) Acceptance of digital follow-up depended on clear patient selection, predefined clinical recovery indicators, and preservation of professional and patient autonomy.Conclusion
RFU after TKA is poorly standardized and institution dependent. Digital follow-up is considered acceptable mainly as a triage mechanism if patient safety, professional autonomy, and the surgeon-patient relationship are maintained.
Related
- Digital endpoints as outcome measures in orthopaedic care and their psychometric properties: a scoping review protocol
- Mediolateral Joint Balance Assessment Is Reproducible Between Surgeons, Under No Standardized Varus–Valgus Stress, During Robot-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty
- Early Revision Rates and Clinical Outcomes of Two Cementless Cruciate-Retaining Total Knee Arthroplasty Designs at Two-Year Follow-Up: A Propensity Score-Adjusted Comparative Analysis
- Three‐and‐a‐Half‐Year Follow‐Up After Sacroiliac Joint Fusion With Preexisting Ipsilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Case Report
- Development of an Individualised Distal Fibula Locking Hook Plate Through Digital Orthopaedic Technology and Its Biomechanical Finite Element Analysis.
BibTeX
@article{craamer2026digital,
title = {{Digital Follow‐Up After Total Knee Arthroplasty: An Interview Study Among Orthopaedic Surgeons}},
author = {Casper Craamer and Thomas Timmers and Walter van der Weegen and Rudolf Bertijn Kool},
journal = {Musculoskeletal care},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1002/msc.70301},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13727082},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Digital Follow‐Up After Total Knee Arthroplasty: An Interview Study Among Orthopaedic Surgeons
AU - Casper Craamer
AU - Thomas Timmers
AU - Walter van der Weegen
AU - Rudolf Bertijn Kool
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/02
JO - Musculoskeletal care
DO - 10.1002/msc.70301
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13727082
AB - Background Traditionally, patients who undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are scheduled for an in-person routine follow-up (RFU) regimen. Increasing pressure on orthopaedic services and growing acceptance of digital health technologies urge clinics to adopt more efficient RFU strategies. However, limited insight exists into how RFU after TKA is organised in clinical practice and under which conditions digital follow-up is acceptable to orthopaedic surgeons. This study explored current RFU practices after TKA and examined surgeons' perspectives on digital follow-up.Methods A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted with 21 orthopaedic surgeons from different healthcare institutions. Interviews were conducted digitally, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using qualitative analysis software. Two researchers independently coded the transcripts, after which the codes were compared, refined, and grouped into overarching themes.Results Four main themes emerged. (1) RFU after TKA was highly fragmented across institutions, with variation in timing, contact modality, responsible healthcare provider, and use of radiographic assessment. (2) Follow-up visits were primarily perceived as a means to confirm uncomplicated recovery and detect complications early. (3) Digital follow-up was viewed not as a replacement for in-person visits but as an additional triage strategy to support decisions on physical consultation. (4) Acceptance of digital follow-up depended on clear patient selection, predefined clinical recovery indicators, and preservation of professional and patient autonomy.Conclusion RFU after TKA is poorly standardized and institution dependent. Digital follow-up is considered acceptable mainly as a triage mechanism if patient safety, professional autonomy, and the surgeon-patient relationship are maintained.
SN - 1478-2189
SN - 1557-0681
ER -