Preoperative education on realistic expectations improves the satisfaction of patients with central sensitization...

The aim of this study was to investigate whether an additional module on realistic expectations following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) would lead to a higher proportion of satisfied patients compared to existing preoperative education.

This was a single-center, randomized-controlled trial. A total of 172 patients who were scheduled for TKA between September 2020 and October 2021 were enrolled. Patients were randomized to receive either only standard preoperative education, or an additional module on realistic expectations following TKA. The primary outcome was patient satisfaction. Secondary outcomes were Short Form-36, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, crepitus score, and range of motion. Subgroup analysis was performed based on central sensitization inventory (CSI) score stratification. Assessment was performed at the 3-month, 6-month, and > 1-year follow-up.

At more than 1 year, 65/78 (83.3%) patients in the intervention group and 52/80 (65.0%) patients in the control group were satisfied (P = 0.03). The mean satisfaction score was measured as 4.2 ± 0.9 in the intervention and 3.9 ± 0.9 in the control at > 1 year (P = 0.01). There were significant differences in Short Form-36 physical and mental component summary scores and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain and stiffness scores at 6 months (P = 0.02, P = 0.02, P = 0.04, P = 0.04). The frequency of satisfaction and mean satisfaction score in the top 25 percentile CSI group were 15/16 (93.8%) and 4.6 ± 0.6 in those who received intervention and 12/19 (63.2%) and 3.8 ± 0.8 in those who did not (P = 0.01, P = 0.01).

Thorough preoperative education on realistic expectations following TKA showed effects on WOMAC pain and satisfaction at > 1 year after surgery. It was more prominent in the group with a higher CSI score at > 1-year follow-up.

Level I.