Changes in Patient Satisfaction Following Total Joint Arthroplasty

The primary aim is to identify the degree to which patient satisfaction with the outcome of total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) changes between 1 and 3 years from the procedure. The secondary aim is to identify variables associated with satisfaction.

Data were sourced from 2 prospective international, multicenter studies (919 THA and 450 TKA patients). Satisfaction was assessed by a 10-point numerical rating scale, at 1- and 3-year follow-up. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess factors associated with satisfaction.

For the THA cohort, higher preoperative joint space width (odds ratio [OR] = 0.28; P = .004), pain from other joints (OR = 0.26; P = .033), and lower preoperative health state (OR = -0.02; P < .001) were associated with consistently lower levels of satisfaction. The model also showed that patients with preoperative anxiety/depression improved in satisfaction between 1 and 3 years (OR = -0.26; P = .031). For the TKA cohort, anterior (vs neutral or posterior) tibial component slope (OR = 0.90; P = .008), greater femoral component valgus angle (OR = 0.05; P = .012), less severe osteoarthritis (OR = -0.10; P < .001), and lower preoperative health state (OR = -0.02; P = .003) were associated with lower levels of satisfaction across the study period. In addition, patients with anterior tibial component slope improved in satisfaction level over time (OR = -0.33; P = .022).

Changes in satisfaction following THA and TKA are rare between 1- and 3-year follow-up. The findings of this study can be used to guide patient counseling preoperatively and to determine intervals of routine follow-up postoperatively.