Preoperative psychologic testing as a predictor of success in knee surgery. A preliminary report

Preoperative psychologic test scores derived from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) were evaluated as predictors of success after elective knee surgery. The patients were examined 1 to 3 years after surgery and were evaluated in terms of subjective improvement, pain, level of activity, work restrictions, swelling, and strength. Patients that had scored high on the hysteria and hypochondriasis scales of the MMPI showed less improvement after surgery than those patients scoring lower on these scales. The results indicate that personality factors may play an important part in the symptomatic success after elective knee surgery.