Modifiable factors influencing length of stay after total knee arthroplasty

This cohort study aims to investigate the current Rapid-Recovery-(RR)-pathway at an orthopaedic surgery hospital centre and to identify preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors that are significantly associated with prolonged hospital Length of Stay (LOS) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

A total of 194 patients undergoing primary TKA were included in this retrospective study. Sociodemographic data documented were age, gender, body mass index, living situation, and the clinical diagnosis. Factors affecting patient constitution and laboratory data for serum level of Hb and CRP were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. In addition, we collected patients' data for attendance of patient education, planned discharge to rehabilitation facilities, and levels of postoperative pain.

In univariate group comparisons, prolonged LOS was significantly associated with increased age, elevated C-reactive-Protein-level, and decreased haemoglobin level. Patients experiencing prolonged LOS also showed significant association with higher prevalence of comorbidities, female gender, living as widow, preoperative anticoagulation, requirement of blood transfusion, and planned discharge to rehabilitation facilities. However, after multivariate logistic regression, only planned discharge to rehabilitation facility, non-attendance of preoperative patient education, female gender, and increased pain levels were identified as significant predictors for prolonged LOS.

Efficient pain therapy and thorough patient education have a positive effect on treatment outcome after TKA in a RR-setting.