Mobility Outcomes Testing Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: Improving on Subjective Outcomes Reporting: A Pilot...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) recovery are limited by subjectivity and recall bias.
• A novel Mobility Outcomes Testing Battery (MOTB) was developed for objective functional recovery assessment using real-time movement and pain data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate the efficacy of the MOTB as an objective measure of functional recovery post-TKA.
• To compare the sensitivity of MOTB to standard PROMs in detecting functional changes after TKA.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-six TKA patients completed MOTB and PROMs preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.
• MOTB assessed eight functional tasks with performance and real-time pain scores; composite scores were calculated.
• Dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry, radiographic limb alignment, and demographic data were collected; statistical analyses included ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and stepwise linear regression.

Main Results:

• MOTB scores significantly improved from baseline to 6 months, demonstrating higher sensitivity than PROMs.
• MOTB scores showed significant correlations with established PROMs (KOOS Jr., PCS, TSK-11).
• Stair descent was the most challenging task; preoperative lean mass, leg length, body fat, valgus alignment, and cardiovascular disease influenced outcomes, with limb alignment being the strongest predictor.

Conclusions:

• The MOTB provides a practical, objective, and movement-specific alternative to PROMs for TKA recovery assessment.
• MOTB exhibits greater sensitivity to functional changes and reduces subjectivity compared to traditional PROMs.
• The MOTB's potential in-clinic utility includes individualized rehabilitation tracking and identification of modifiable risk factors for improved patient outcomes.