Limited predictive value of pre-surgical level of functioning for functioning at 3 and 12 months after TKA

A total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a cost-effective option to relieve pain and improve knee function in patients suffering from osteoarthritis. However, results differ among patients. The predictive value of pre-surgically assessed factors on the level of functioning after 3 and 12 months was investigated in this study.

This study used an inception cohort design and a follow-up of 12 months. One hundred and fifty patients who were to receive a TKA were assessed pre-surgically with an International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) core assessment set: Knee Society Score (KSS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Short-Form 12 (SF12), Patient-Specific Function Scale (PSFS), range of motion (ROM), quadriceps and hamstring strength and gait parameters. The main outcome measure was WOMAC-Function at 3 and 12 months after surgery.

Pre-surgical physical and mental health on the SF12 and functioning and stiffness on the WOMAC explained 23% of the variance in the level of functioning 3 months after surgery. Pre-surgical knee function measured with the KSS-Knee, and functioning as assessed by WOMAC-Function explained 16% of the variance of the level of functioning 12 months after surgery.

The results of this study show that better functioning before surgery, less knee stiffness and a better physical and mental health to some extent predict better functioning 3 months after surgery. This effect is less evident at 12 months. This study is clinically relevant since it provides benchmark data for health care providers who want to compare their individual patients.

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