Riassunto dello studio

Seventy patients with knee osteoarthritis scheduled for primary TKA were randomized to receive a 6‑week nurse‑led transitional care model plus usual care (n=35) or usual care alone (n=35). The primary outcome of interest was functional status (WOMAC total); secondary outcomes included self‑efficacy (ASES), WOMAC/ASES subscales, and healthcare service readmissions up to 12 weeks after discharge. Outcomes were assessed at baseline (T1) and at 2 (T2) and 9 (T3) weeks post‑discharge for WOMAC/ASES, and at 2, 6, 9, and 12 weeks for readmissions. Overall, the results revealed greater improvements with TCM: WOMAC total was lower at T2 and T3, ASES total was higher at T2 and T3, and readmissions were fewer at 6 weeks. These findings suggest that a structured, nurse‑led TCM meaningfully enhances early postoperative recovery and self‑management after TKA while reducing short‑term service utilization.