Preoperative Optimization Before Total Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery

NCT07394582 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: EK-Nr. 1193/2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 180
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Preoperative Optimisation prior to Hip and Knee Arthroplasty (PrOpE) Many patients scheduled for planned hip or knee replacement surgery have health conditions that may affect recovery, such as reduced physical fitness, nutritional problems, multiple medications, or increased stress and anxiety. These factors can increase the risk of complications and delay recovery after surgery. The PrOpE study examines whether a structured preparation programme before surgery, known as preoperative optimization or prehabilitation, can be safely implemented and may support recovery after hip or knee replacement. Aim of the study The main aim is to assess the feasibility of a comprehensive preoperative optimisation programme and to explore its potential effects on recovery and health outcomes. The results will help improve future care for patients undergoing major orthopaedic surgery. Who can participate? Adult patients scheduled for elective total hip or knee replacement surgery who are classified as ASA \>2, aged between 18 and 99 years old and without a severe cognitive impairment. Participation is voluntary. Study design A total of 180 participants will be included and randomly assigned to one of two groups:

• Standard Care Group: Participants receive usual medical care before and after surgery.
• Intervention Group: In addition to standard care, participants receive an individualised preparation programme over several weeks before surgery. This programme may include:
• Personalised physical exercise
• Nutritional assessment and advice
• Support for stress, pain, and mental well-being
• Review of regular medications Some elements may be delivered at home or via telemedicine, depending on individual needs. What information is collected? The study evaluates recovery after surgery, including complications, length of hospital stay, physical function, quality of life, and use of health care services. Questionnaires, physical tests, and blood samples are used to better understand health status before and after surgery. Risks and benefits The study involves low additional risk. All measures are adapted to individual abilities and supervised by trained professionals. The main burden is the additional time required for participation. Participants in the optimisation group may benefit from improved preparation for surgery. The study also contributes to improving care for future patients.

Conditions

Prehabilitation; Preoperative Care

Keywords

Preoperative Optimization; orthopedic surgery

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Length of hospital stay

  Length of hospital stay (intensive care unit, recovery room, observation unit, general ward; date of discharge readiness and actual discharge)

  From enrollment to the postoperative discharge from the hospital (9 to 25 weeks).

Study Arms (2)

Standard Care Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants receive usual medical care before and after surgery.

Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

In addition to standard care, participants receive an individualised preparation programme over several weeks before surgery. This programme may include: * Personalised physical exercise * Nutritional assessment and advice * Support for stress, pain, and mental well-being * Review of regular medications

Other: Prehabilitation

Interventions

Prehabilitation OTHER

* Personalised physical exercise * Nutritional assessment and advice * Support for stress, pain, and mental well-being * Review of regular medications Some elements may be delivered at home or via telemedicine, depending on individual needs.

Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 99 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification ≥ 3
• Age between 18 and 99 years
• All sexes
• Elective total hip or knee replacement with a waiting period of ≥ 8 weeks between surgical indication and surgery
• Ability to understand the nature, content, and procedures of the study and to provide written informed consent
• Written informed consent obtained prior to any study-related procedure

You may not qualify if:

• Pregnancy or active breastfeeding
• Severe trauma or major blood loss within 14 days prior to enrollment
• Participation in another pharmacological or interventional clinical study
• Contraindications to physical training
• Pre-existing diagnosis of moderate to severe dementia

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Medical University Innsbruck: lead

Study Sites (1)

Medical University Innsbruck

Innsbruck, Tyrol, 6020, Austria

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Preoperative Exercise

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Perioperative Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Exercise; Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena; Health Services; Health Care Facilities Workforce and Services

Study Officials

• Barbara Sinner, MD, MBA

  Medical University Innsbruck

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Helmut Raab, MD

CONTACT

+435050480833; helmut.raab@tirol-kliniken.at

Christine Eckhardt, MD, PhD

CONTACT

christine.eckhardt@i-med.ac.at

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Prospective, randomised, single blinded (patient-blinded) with two study groups

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 30, 2026
• First Posted: February 6, 2026
• Study Start: February 5, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): February 5, 2034
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 5, 2034
• Last Updated: February 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Locations

AU (1)