Why is the OPAL trial important?
Hip and knee joint replacements relieve pain and improve function in patients with arthritis. One in four patients are in work at the time of their hip or knee replacement surgery, equivalent to 50,000 people in the UK each year. Many patients get back to work after surgery, however, the time this takes varies considerably.
A lengthy recovery time can affect patients’ physical and mental wellbeing. Patients often receive little or no return-to-work support from their hospital or GP specific to their individual needs and work situation.
As part of an earlier research study, we developed an “occupational” (back-to-work) support programme (known as OPAL) that supports return-to-work after surgery. We now need to assess whether this is effective in supporting a timely, safe and sustained return to work.
Aim(s) of the OPAL trial:
We will evaluate the OPAL occupational support programme to find out whether it assists patients to make a timely, safe and sustained return to work and normal activities after hip or knee joint replacement surgery.
What is the OPAL occupational support programme?
The OPAL occupational support programme provides personalised, targeted support for people in a range of jobs. As part of the programme, patients receive a variety of resources to help them plan their return-to-work. This includes access to a trained co-ordinator who helps and supports them before and after surgery.
How will we do the research?
We will undertake a large study to compare the OPAL occupational support programme against standard care. All adults listed for elective primary hip or knee replacement from a minimum of 14 UK hospitals, who are in paid or unpaid work, will be invited to take part.
We aim to recruit 742 participants over 15 months.
Doing the OPAL trial will allow us to understand if the OPAL support programme helps to reduce the length of time until full, sustained return to work.
We will find out if:
- There is a difference between the groups in time to return to any work, the speed and quality of recovery, and if there is a need for additional workplace support
- The cost of care differs between the two groups, to determine whether one is better value for money for the NHS
- The programme is effective by asking those who are receiving and delivering the OPAL programme what they think about it and determine how it could be incorporated into routine NHS care
Patient and public involvement (PPI)
The study has been developed with patient advisors who have had hip or knee arthritis and joint replacement surgery.
A patient advisory group, along with public members who worked with us securing funding for the study, will help us to develop patient facing documents.