Expectations in patients with total knee arthroplasty

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering
• Patient Outcomes Research

Background:

• Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) aims to alleviate pain and restore knee function.
• Cultural and lifestyle factors may influence patient expectations for TKA outcomes, particularly regarding knee flexion.
• Understanding patient expectations is crucial for successful TKA and patient satisfaction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the specific expectations of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
• To identify the most and least anticipated outcomes following TKA.
• To determine if demographic factors influence TKA expectations.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 131 patients (18 male, 113 female; mean age 66.2 years) with knee osteoarthritis underwent cemented TKA.
• All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon using identical implants and techniques.
• Patients completed the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score and an HSS knee arthroplasty expectation questionnaire.

Main Results:

• Mean HSS scores were high for both right (89.2) and left (89.6) knees.
• The most expected outcomes were pain improvement (99.2%) and gait enhancement (96.2%).
• Least expected outcomes included improvements in psychological well-being (22.9%) and communicative skills (35.1%), unaffected by education or work.

Conclusions:

• Patient expectations for TKA are primarily focused on pain reduction and functional restoration, including gait and mobility.
• These findings are consistent with expectations reported in Western and American populations.
• Education and working conditions did not significantly alter patient expectations for TKA outcomes.