Clinical outcomes of fast-track total knee arthroplasty for patients aged >80 years

Because of the ageing population in Hong Kong, there is an increasing incidence of total knee arthroplasties (TKA) conducted in patients aged >80 years.

This retrospective case-control study enrolled all patients who were aged >80 years and underwent fast-track primary TKA between 2011 and 2015. Their outcomes were compared with the outcomes of a matched control group of younger patients who underwent fast-track TKA in the same period.

In total, 220 patients were included in this study with a follow-up period of at least 2 years (mean=3.2 years; range, 2-5 years); 112 (51%) were octogenarians and 108 (49%) were non-octogenarians. Greater improvement in Knee Society Score was found in the octogenarian group at 1 year after surgery (46 ± 19 vs 39 ± 16, P=0.018). The incidence of complications was higher in the octogenarian group (15.2% vs 4.6%, P=0.009). There were no significant differences in the incidence of major complications, the rate of intensive care unit admission, or the 1-year mortality rate between the two groups. After adjustment for confounding factors, Charlson Comorbidity Index >5, history of major cerebrovascular accident, and history of peptic ulcer disease were predictive of complications after fast-track TKA (P=0.039, P=0.016, and P=0.007, respectively); octogenarian status was not predictive of complications.

Octogenarians had greater improvement in Knee Society Score at 1 year after fast-track TKA, compared with non-octogenarians, but there were no significant differences in the incidences of mortality or major complications.