Early postoperative assessment technique: a time-to-remission technique after condylar replacement

Inconsistencies in reports of clinical outcome occur on many levels. Using life-table techniques for remission can increase reproducibility, facilitate comparisons with other studies, and answer patient questions about rehabilitation time. The complementary rate of Kaplan-Meier's cumulative survival rate was calculated for pain and knee mobility after unicondylar and bicondylar knee replacement in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Pain relief was quick, often within 2 months. Eventually, >50% had attained both pain alleviation and normal mobility. The probability of regaining at least 90 degrees flexion was greater than regaining 0 degrees extension. The probability of increasing the preoperative extension capacity was higher than that of increasing the flexion capacity.