The Effect of Fear of Falling and Kinesiophobia on Older Patients’ Readiness for Discharge After Total Joint Arthroplasty

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between older patients' readiness for discharge after total arthroplasty and fear of falling, kinesiophobia, and other variables. This correlational and cross-sectional study was conducted with 250 older people who had undergone total knee and hip arthroplasty. Data were collected using a Patient Descriptive and Clinical Information Form, the Fear of Falling Scale, the Visual Analog Scale, the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale, and the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale-Short Form. The mean Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (RHDS) score was 4.70 ± 1.23, and 84.4% of the participants were found to be not ready for discharge. This is low in comparison to the findings from other studies. The model created for readiness for discharge explained 30% of the total variance (p < .005). The independent variables included in the model, namely fear of falling, pain, age, and number of mobilizations, were determined to be statistically significant predictors of readiness for discharge. It is necessary to support mobilization and manage the fear of falling and pain to increase older patients' readiness for discharge following surgery.