Manipulation Following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty is Associated With Increased Rates of Infection and Revision

Stiffness following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a disabling complication and manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) is often performed as an early intervention. Few studies have focused on the revision risk, infection risk, demographics, and clinical outcomes in Medicare patients undergoing MUA following primary TKA.

We reviewed 142,440 patients who had primary TKA from a national database and identified 3,652 patients (2.6%) who underwent MUA. Patient demographics and comorbid conditions were evaluated to identify risk factors. Incidence of revision and periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) at 1-, 2-, and 5-year time points in a cohort of MUA patients was compared to patients who did not undergo MUA. Multivariate Cox regressions were used for statistical analyses.

The incidence of MUA was higher in Black versus White individuals (4.1 versus 2.5%, P < .001). Revision risk was significantly greater in the MUA group at 1-, 2-, and 5-year time points with a hazard ratio (HR) of, 3.81, 3.90, and 3.22 respectively, P < .001. One- and 2-year revision risk was significantly greater when MUA occurred at 6 to 12 months post-TKA when compared to <3 months, P < .05. Risk of PJI was significantly greater in the MUA group with a HR of 2.2, 2.2, and 2.1 at 1, 2, and 5 years, respectively P < .001.

The incidence of MUA was 2.6%. There was an increased incidence of revision surgery and PJI in patients undergoing MUA. Patients at increased risk for stiffness following TKA should be closely monitored and treated with early intervention to minimize risk of poor outcomes.