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What functional activities are important to patients with knee replacements?
Jennifer M Weiss1, Philip C Noble, Michael A Conditt
1Barnhart Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|November 20, 2002
Summary
Total knee replacement (TKR) helps patients regain function, but limitations remain. Further improvements are needed for patients to fully participate in important daily activities after TKR.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Patient-Reported Outcomes
Background:
- Quantifying patient function and mobility post-joint replacement is crucial.
- Understanding patient-identified activities and limitations after total knee replacement (TKR) is essential for improving outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify activities important to patients after TKR.
- To determine the prevalence of limitations in performing these activities.
- To assess the correlation between activity importance, participation frequency, and limitations.
Main Methods:
- Developed and validated a 55-question Total Knee Function Questionnaire.
- Mailed the questionnaire to 367 patients at least 1 year post-TKR.
- Collected data on activity frequency, importance, and perceived limitations.
Main Results:
- 176 patients (40% male, 60% female, average age 70.5) returned the questionnaire.
- Most prevalent activities: stretching (73%), leg strengthening (70%), kneeling (58%), gardening (57%).
- Most important activities: stretching (56%), kneeling (52%), gardening (50%). Most difficult activities: squatting (75%), kneeling (72%), gardening (54%).
Conclusions:
- A high correlation exists between activity importance and participation frequency, indicating TKR restores significant function.
- Despite improvements, knee function after TKR requires enhancement to enable participation in all desired activities.