CompletedOther

Development of a pre-operative care website for patients waiting for total knee replacement surgery – a Virtual Knee School

Knee replacement surgery is a common operation, but preparing well beforehand can make a huge difference to recovery. Getting reliable guidance and gentle exercises before surgery helps people recover more smoothly. However, hospital classes can be costly to run and difficult for patients to attend. Researchers at the University of Leeds and Chapel Allerton Hospital are developing a website called the 'Virtual Knee School'. This online tool is designed to give patients helpful advice and exercises while they wait for surgery at home. To make sure the website meets real patient needs, researchers are asking adults who are waiting for a knee replacement, or who had one in the last two years, to get involved. Participants will share their views in interviews or discussions and test early versions of the website. Taking part is voluntary and does not change your usual NHS care.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

University of Leeds

Enrolment target

Start

30 Apr 2020

Estimated completion

20 Jan 2022

Total knee replacement surgery

What is this study about?

Knee replacement surgery is a very common procedure that helps reduce joint pain and improve mobility. While the operation is usually successful, around one in six people feel dissatisfied with their recovery. Preparing properly before surgery—sometimes called pre-operative care—can make a big difference. Learning what to expect and doing muscle-strengthening exercises beforehand can help you feel more confident and heal more quickly after the operation.

At the moment, hospital-based preparation services vary widely across the UK. Some can be hard to travel to, and they do not always suit everyone's daily routine. Creating a dedicated website could allow people to access trusted advice and exercise guides from home whenever they need them. However, many current websites are out of date, hard to navigate, or lack the practical information patients actually want.

This study aims to solve these problems by designing a new website called the 'Virtual Knee School'. Rather than guessing what patients need, the research team is working directly with people who have experienced knee surgery or are currently waiting for it. By listening to patient experiences, the team hopes to build a friendly, simple, and supportive online tool that future NHS patients can rely on.

Key takeaways

Researchers are designing an interactive 'Virtual Knee School' website to help patients prepare for knee surgery.
The study is open to UK adults waiting for knee replacement surgery or who had it within the last two years.
Participation involves short interviews, group chats, or testing website prototypes to give feedback.
There are no medications, physical tests, or alterations to your planned medical care.
Your input will help make sure the final website is clear, supportive, and simple to use.

Who may be eligible?

You may be eligible to take part if you are aged 18 or older and live in the UK. You should be comfortable communicating in English. You must either be on an NHS waiting list for a first-time total knee replacement, or have had your first knee replacement within the past two years.

Because this project is about creating an online tool, you will usually need access to the internet and an email address. For certain parts of the project, people living in West Yorkshire might also have the option to meet researchers in person, provided it follows safe health guidelines.

You will not be able to take part if you are unable to give informed consent to join the study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

I am at least 18 years old.
I am waiting for a first-time knee replacement or had one within the last two years at a UK hospital.
I can read and speak in English.
I have regular access to the internet and an email address.
I am able to give informed consent to take part in research discussions.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part in this study does not involve taking any new medications, having medical tests, or changing your scheduled hospital treatment. Instead, researchers want to learn from your opinions and experiences.

You may be invited to take part in an interview or a small group discussion with other patients, either online, by phone, or in person. During these chats, you will be asked about what kind of information you find useful before surgery and what might encourage or stop you from using a healthcare website.

Later in the study, you may also be invited to look at an early draft of the Virtual Knee School website and tell the team what works well and what could be improved. Discussions usually last around one to two hours. Your normal medical care will continue as planned throughout the study.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no physical risks or medical side effects involved in this study, as it only involves talking to researchers and reviewing website ideas. You may not get any direct medical benefit from joining, although testing the website early might give you helpful tips for your own knee care. The greatest benefit is knowing that your voice will help shape a tool that supports future patients facing knee surgery. Taking part is entirely voluntary. If you decide to join and later change your mind, you can leave at any time without your NHS care or waiting list position being affected in any way.

Locations (2)

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
City only
Leeds, England
University of Leeds
Approximate
Leeds, England

Common questions

Will taking part affect my place on the surgery waiting list?

No. Taking part is completely separate from your clinical care and will not change your place on the NHS waiting list or delay your operation.

Do I need to be an expert with computers?

Not at all. You only need basic access to the internet and an email account. Feedback from people who find computers challenging is especially valuable to help make the website easy for everyone.

Do I have to travel to the hospital for this study?

No. Most interviews and feedback sessions can take place online or over the telephone from the comfort of your own home.

Are there any physical exercises I must do for the study?

No. You will not be asked to do any physical exercises as part of the research sessions. The study is purely focused on your opinions and feedback about the website.

What happens if I decide I no longer want to take part?

You are free to stop participating at any time. You do not need to give a reason, and your decision will not alter your relationship with your healthcare team.

How to find out more

Anna Anderson

A.Anderson@leeds.ac.uk +44 (0)113 3924920 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.