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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Treatment of Ankle Osteoarthritis with Total Ankle Replacement Through a Lateral Transfibular Approach
Published on: January 24, 2018
A Complete Functional Characterization of Patients with Severe Knee Osteoarthritis in Need of Total Knee Replacement
Vinicius Taboni Lisboa1, Bruno de Paula Leite Arruda2, Rafael de Andrade Tambascia2
1Departamento de Ortopedia, Reumatologia e Traumatologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas 13083-887, Brazil.
Background/Objectives:
The current literature lacks objective criteria to correctly identify patients in need of a total knee replacement. Surgery indication can be challenging for orthopedic surgeons, which may lead to high levels of patient dissatisfaction. The objective of this study is to describe a complete set of functional characteristics to identify patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis in need of a total knee replacement, correlating data from strength and performance tests with pain, function, and quality of life questionnaires.
Methods:
This was a cross-sectional study evaluating patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis in a waiting list for total knee replacement at a University Hospital. The patients responded to subjective self-reported questionnaires and performance-based functional tests. Anthropometric data were also collected. The main outcome measures were Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Index (WOMAC), visual analog scale (VAS), Short Form-36, knee range of motion, thigh perimeter measurement, maximum voluntary isometric contraction, and 6-min walk test.
Results:
We analyzed 122 patients (89 female). The functional profile of patients with severe knee osteoarthritis awaiting total knee replacement was described. Quadriceps strength (extensor torque) had a negative correlation with WOMAC (r = -0.3102; p < 0.05), VAS (r = -0.3247; p < 0.05), and a positive correlation with SF-36 Functional Capacity subscale (r = 0.321; p < 0.05). Poorer performance in the 6 min walk test also correlated with worse scores in the WOMAC (r = -0.35; p < 0.05), VAS (r = -0.48; p < 0.05) and SF-36.
Conclusions:
The present article established a functional profile of patients with severe knee osteoarthritis with indication for total knee replacement, which may help orthopedic surgeons in their decision process. We also identified quadriceps strength and a 6 min walk test as the two most important functional parameters that correlate with knee osteoarthritis severity.
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