Does flexion contracture continue to improve up to five years after total knee arthroplasty?

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Biomedical engineering
• Rehabilitation medicine

Background:

• Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common procedure for end-stage knee osteoarthritis.
• Long-term functional outcomes after TKA are crucial for patient satisfaction and quality of life.
• Understanding the trajectory of improvement beyond the first year is important for patient expectations and rehabilitation protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the long-term improvement in flexion contracture and functional outcomes up to five years post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of 323 patients (200 women, 123 men) with osteoarthritis who underwent TKA.
• Clinical assessments including flexion contracture, range of motion, maximum flexion, and Knee Society Score were performed pre-operatively, and at one and five years post-TKA.
• Standardized prosthesis design and surgical technique (medial parapatellar approach) were used in all cases.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in all measured variables from pre-TKA to one year, and further improvements were noted from one year to five years post-TKA.
• Mean flexion contracture decreased from 11° pre-TKA to 3° at one year and 2° at five years.
• Mean Knee Society Scores increased from 39 pre-TKA to 87 at one year and 90 at five years, indicating substantial functional gains.

Conclusions:

• Flexion contracture and functional outcomes, including range of motion and overall knee function, can continue to improve for up to five years after total knee arthroplasty.
• These findings suggest that the benefits of TKA extend well beyond the initial post-operative year, supporting long-term patient recovery and satisfaction.