Total knee arthroplasty in younger patients evaluated by alternative outcome measures

In this prospective multicenter study we included subjects younger than 60 years of age and scheduled for primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The study assessed patients' overall satisfaction, fulfillment of preoperative expectations, the effect on socioeconomic parameters, and quality of sexual life. Questionnaires including Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and SF-36 were evaluated preoperatively and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. OKS and SF-36 showed significant improvements. However, patient satisfaction and fulfillment of personal expectations did not reflect these scores. Overall, TKA did not affect the patients' socioeconomic status, and overall, patients did not experience impairment of sexual life, but decreased frequency and negative affection of sexual practice should be anticipated. Alternative outcome measurements of TKA surgery not focusing on implants and surgical techniques shed new light on important consequences of arthroplasty surgery.