Clinical and functional outcomes of primary total knee arthroplasty: a South American perspective

The aim of this study was to report the clinical and functional outcomes as well as complications after primary total knee arthroplasty in a cohort of Chilean patients.

We retrospectively reviewed 191 total knee arthroplasties performed in 182 patients over an 8-year period, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The primary outcome measure was the rate of major complications. Secondary outcomes were minor complications, residual symptoms, level of satisfaction, and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score.

Global complication rate was 15.5%, reintervention rate was 9.2%, and revision rate was 2.5%. Major and minor complications were seen in 9.2% and 5.1% of patients, respectively. Average Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score was 77 points (14-100), and 90% of patients reported satisfaction with the procedure. At 2-year follow-up, 45.8% of patients had some degree of range of motion limitations.

Our results show a medium-term follow-up complication rate comparable to those described in the literature. This is the first series to report on the clinical and functional outcomes after primary total knee arthroplasty in a Chilean population.