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Published on: May 5, 2023
Functional improvement after unicompartmental knee replacement: a follow-up study with a performance based knee test
Lucas L A Kleijn1, Wouter L W van Hemert, Will G H Meijers
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Atrium Medical Centre, PO Box 4446, 6401 CX Heerlen, and Department of Methodology and Statistics, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.
Summary
Functional recovery after unicompartmental knee replacement continues for up to two years, especially in challenging tasks. Objective tests reveal improvements beyond six months, unlike subjective scores.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Biomedical engineering
- Rehabilitation science
Background:
- Unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) is increasingly used in younger patients requiring optimal function.
- Limited data exists on long-term functional recovery following UKR using comprehensive assessment methods.
- Assessing functional recovery is crucial for return to activities like sports.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the functional recovery of UKR patients using both subjective and objective measures.
- To determine the timeline of functional improvement beyond the initial postoperative period.
- To compare the sensitivity of different assessment tools in detecting long-term functional changes.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 38 UKR patients (mean age 62.2 years).
- Functional outcomes assessed using the Knee Society Score (KSS) and the accelerometer-based Dynaport Knee Test.
- Measurements taken preoperatively and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-surgery.
Main Results:
- Both KSS and Dynaport scores showed significant improvement by 6 months post-surgery.
- KSS scores plateaued after 6 months, while Dynaport scores continued to improve in high-demand tasks (Rise and Descend) up to 2 years.
- The Dynaport Knee Test demonstrated functional improvements beyond 6 months, particularly in challenging tasks.
Conclusions:
- Functional recovery after UKR extends beyond 6 months, potentially up to 2 years.
- Objective, accelerometer-based functional tests are more sensitive than subjective scores for detecting later functional improvements.
- Integrating objective measurements alongside clinical scores is recommended for a comprehensive assessment of UKR outcomes.