Background and aims: Arthrosis is a common joint disease with reduced mobility and quality of life that often leads to joint replacements. Because of shorter hospital stays, education of patients is important, otherwise they are overwhelmed with the following healing process. For this reason, the app RECOVER-E is developed for education, motivation and support of patients around joint replacements of hip or knee.
Methods: The double-armed study will determine the impact of the app on mobility and pain 3 months after joint replacement of hip or knee. The patients are surveyed to their function in daily living, pain and quality of life at 5 occasions (4-6 weeks before surgery; day of admission; 1 day, 7 days and 3 months after surgery). 
The intervention encompasses the use of the app RECOVER-E on a smartphone. It supplies information about surgery and the rehabilitation process, guides the patient to exercises after surgery, offers help for everyday behavior and motivates for being active in the rehabilitation process. A documentation of parameters (mobility, sleeping quality, pain, nutritional status) and dispatch to the treating physician is possible for evaluation.
Results: Expected results refer to significantly better function in daily life, lower pain intensity and a higher quality of life in the intervention group after three months and a reduced anxiety before surgery.
Conclusions: The app will support patients in their need for information and support in self-management for securing of an adequate pain management and a good functionality after joint replacement.

RECOVER-E - A MOBILE SUPPORT FOR PATIENTS WITH HIP- OR KNEE REPLACEMENT