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.