In consequence of population aging, cases of osteoarthritis with surgical indication increase. Considering the interest of the subject for the Psychology of Rehabilitation, an inquiry was developed aiming at evaluating the quality of life in patients undergone into hip arthroplasty at pre-surgery and post-surgery phases through the SF-36 and interview. The results obtained indicate that, before surgery, physical aspects, functional capacity and pain present the smaller averages, while general state of health and mental health present the greater averages among the domains evaluated by the SF-36. After the operation, all the measured domains showed significant improvement. Older patients express more gains in functional capacity when compared to younger patients. The interviews reveal the patient's perception about his suffering and his limitations in the performance of daily activities. It suggests future studies with more extensive samples and a bigger time intermission of rehabilitation.
Quality of life; aging; rehabilitation
