Lack of mental-status changes in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty

According to the literature, a significant number of patients present with mental-status changes following total joint arthroplasty. It has been postulated that mental-status changes would be increased in patients undergoing bilateral joint arthroplasty. To assess the mental status of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA), a validated test was performed in a prospective fashion. Thirty patients underwent unilateral TKA, and 30 underwent sequential simultaneous bilateral TKA. The Folstein Mini Mental Status examination was performed before and after surgery. No significant changes were noted in this patient population after surgery. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between the unilateral and the bilateral groups.