Psychological impact of knee OA
There is also the psychological impact of knee OA which limited physical
activity and participation. The participants commonly expressed fear of
pain as they linked this increase to worsening of knee OA. In addition,
participants showed fear of flare ups (n=2), fear of increasing the
damage in the knee (n=2), fear of operative procedures (n=1), fear of
damaging the kidneys if analgesics were used (n=1), and fear of falling
(n=1).
The participants were also frustrated by their condition as it has
changed their lifestyle in many ways. Many activities were limited which
increased their dependency on family members and restricted their
participation in outings and social events due to fear of being injured.