Readmission rate and early complications in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty: A retrospective study

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can improve pain, quality of life, and functional outcomes. Although uncommon, postoperative complications are extremely consequential and thus must be carefully tracked and communicated to patients to assist their decision-making before surgery. Identification of the risk factors for complications and readmissions after TKA, taking into account common causes, temporal trends, and risk variables that can be changed or left unmodified, will benefit this process.

To assess readmission rates, early complications and their causes after TKA at 30 days and 90 days post-surgery.

This was a prospective and retrospective study of 633 patients who underwent TKA at our hospital between January 1, 2017, and February 28, 2022. Of the 633 patients, 28 were not contactable, leaving 609 who met the inclusion criteria. Both inpatient and outpatient hospital records were retrieved, and observations were noted in the data collection forms.

Following TKA, the 30-day and 90-day readmission rates were determined to be 1.1% (n = 7) and 1.8% (n = 11), respectively. The unplanned visit rate at 30 days following TKA was 2.6% (n = 16) and at 90 days was 4.6% (n = 28). At 90 days, the unplanned readmission rate was 1.4% (n = 9). Reasons for readmissions included medical (27.2%, n = 3) and surgical (72.7%, n = 8). Unplanned readmissions and visits within 90 days of follow-up did not substantially differ by age group (P = 0.922), body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.633), unilateral vs bilateral TKA (P = 0.696), or patient comorbidity status (30-day P = 0.171 and 90-day P = 0.813). Reoperation rates after TKA were 0.66% (n = 4) at 30 days and 1.15% (n = 8) at 90 days. The average length of stay was 6.53 days.

In this study, there was a low readmission rate following TKA. There was no significant correlation between readmission rate and patient factors such as age, BMI, and co-morbidity status.