Correlations between patient satisfaction and ability to perform daily activities after total knee arthroplasty: why aren't patients satisfied?

Patient and Surgeon Expectations Prior to Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

BACKGROUND

When discussing potential treatment with patients choosing to undergo surgery for disruption of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and their families, surgeons spend considerable time discussing expectations of the short- and long-term health of the knee. Most of the research examining patient expectations in orthopedic surgery has focused largely on arthroplasty.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively assess the differences between the patient's and the surgeon's expectations before primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

METHODS

In this case series, we prospectively enrolled 93 patients scheduled for primary ACLR between 2011 and 2014. Expectations were measured using the Hospital for Special Surgery 23-item Knee Expectations Survey; scores were calculated for each subject.

RESULTS

In all but six categories, patients had expectations that either aligned with their surgeons' or were lower. The largest discordance between surgeon and patient expectations in which the patient had lower expectations was employment; 75% of patients had similar expectations to the surgeon when asked if the knee would be "back to the way it was before the problem started," less than 1% had higher expectations, and 17% had lower expectations.

CONCLUSION

In general, patient expectations align well with surgeon expectations. Patients who are older, have a lower activity level, and who have selected allograft over autograft for ACLR could also be at risk for greater discordance. Understanding these differences, and their predictors, will help guide physicians when they are counseling patients about ACLR and also help them interact with patients after surgery as they assess outcomes.

Slow gait speed after bilateral total knee arthroplasty is associated with suboptimal improvement of knee biomechanics

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate gait speed changes 2 years after bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and identify kinetic and kinematic factors associated with such changes by comparing patients with age- and sex-matched controls.

METHODS

The study group included 34 female patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis (OA) who underwent bilateral TKA and 42 age- and sex-matched controls without knee pain or OA. Standard TKA was performed on all arthritic patients with placement of posterior stabilized fixed-bearing implants. Kinetic and kinematic parameters were evaluated using a commercial optoelectric gait analysis system. Gait speed, kinetic and kinematic changes and determinants of speed were assessed via principal component analysis and multiple regression analysis.

RESULTS

The average gait speed of an arthritic patient was 90.2 ± 18.4 cm/s and improved to 96.0 ± 12.3 cm/s after TKA (p = 0.032). However, the speed remained slower than that of controls (111.2 ± 8.2 cm/s, p < 0.001). With regard to kinetics, the peak knee extension moment (KEM) generated by the quadriceps was unchanged after TKA and weaker than that of controls (p < 0.001). The proportions of KEM contributing to the total sagittal moment were also smaller in the pre-/post-operative groups than in the control group (13-14% vs. 19%). On the other hand, the ankle plantar flexion moment (APFM) was increased after TKA (p = 0.007) and its proportion of the total sagittal moment was greater than in controls (46% vs. 42%). With regard to kinematics, knee range of motion (ROM) improved after TKA (p = 0.025), but was smaller than that of controls (p < 0.001). In controls, gait speed was determined principally by hip and knee joint moments. However, in the TKA group, speed was determined by the knee ROM and APFM.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite showing improvement, the gait speed of TKA patients remained slower than that of controls. Slow gait speed after bilateral TKA was associated with suboptimal improvement of knee biomechanics. Quadriceps strengthening exercises and the achievement of greater ROM during gait are advised for the further improvement of gait speed.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Retrospective cohort study, Level III.

Radiographic assessment and clinical outcomes after total knee arthroplasty using an accelerometer-based portable navigation device

It has been reported that an accelerometer-based portable navigation device can achieve accurate bone cuts, but there have been few studies of clinical outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using such a device. The aim of this study was to evaluate lower limb alignment and clinical outcomes after TKA using an accelerometer-based portable navigation device. Thirty-five patients (40 knees) underwent primary TKAs using an accelerometer-based portable navigation device. Postoperative radiographic assessments included the hip-knee-ankle angle, femoral component angle (FCA), and tibial component angle (TCA) in the coronal plane and the sagittal FCA and sagittal TCA in the sagittal plane. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by the Japanese Orthopedic Association score for osteoarthritic knees, Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure, and the New Knee Society Score. The frequency of outliers (>3 degrees) was 10% for the hip-knee-ankle angle, 8% for FCA, 0% for TCA, 19% for sagittal FCA, and 9% for sagittal TCA. The Japanese Orthopedic Association score and Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure were significantly improved postoperatively. The postoperative New Knee Society Score was 67.2% for symptoms, 50.3% for satisfaction, 58.6% for expectation, and 44.1% for function. TKA using an accelerometer-based portable navigation device achieved good results for both lower limb alignment and clinical outcomes.

Quality of life after total knee arthroplasty

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) results in a high degree of patient satisfaction, as it provides patients with considerable medium- and long-term benefits in terms of quality of life, pain relief and function. Nevertheless, the literature reports that up to 30% of patients are dissatisfied. This dissatisfaction is directly related to the patients' quality of life, which they deem insufficient. Their quality of life depends on many physical, behavioural, social and psychological factors that are not taken into account by functional outcome scores. After describing the principles of quality of life evaluation after TKA, we will assess the effects of patient-related factors, the surgical technique and postoperative program through an exhaustive review of the literature. Patient expectations after TKA will then be outlined, particularly return to work and return to sports.

Medial rather than lateral knee instability correlates with inferior patient satisfaction and knee function after total knee arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

It is commonly thought that balanced medial and lateral tibiofemoral joint gaps are essential, but the effect of joint laxity on clinical outcome after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is unclear. It was hypothesised that medial joint laxity correlates with inferior patient satisfaction and knee function, although lateral joint laxity is allowed to a certain degree in TKA.

METHODS

This study included 50 knees that underwent primary TKA. Knee laxity was measured with postoperative stress radiographs in flexion and extension, and patient satisfaction and knee function were evaluated by the 2011 Knee Society Knee Scoring System.

RESULTS

In a comparison of medially tight and medially loose knees in flexion, the scores for satisfaction, symptoms, standard activity, and advanced activity were significantly better in medially tight than in medially loose knees (satisfaction: 29.8, 22.2; symptoms: 20.3, 15.9; standard activities: 24.2, 19.1; and advanced activities: 15.3, 8.7, in the tight and loose knees, respectively). Neither lateral joint laxity during knee flexion nor medial joint laxity during knee extension was associated with a poor postoperative clinical outcome, whereas lateral joint laxity and the standard activity score in extension had a moderate positive correlation.

CONCLUSIONS

Knees with medial joint laxity during flexion resulted in an inferior postoperative outcome, and lateral joint laxity did not influence patient satisfaction or function. Care should be taken to maintain medial joint stability during the TKA procedure.

Are There Prognostic Factors for One-Year Outcome After Total Knee Arthroplasty? A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Preoperative factors predicting outcome for pain, physical function and quality of life after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have not been clearly identified.

METHODS

Embase and MEDLINE were searched for relevant studies. A study was considered for inclusion if the study aimed to identify preoperative prognostic factors for pain, physical function, and/or quality of life after a follow-up period of at least 1 year; included at least 200 adults suffering from osteoarthritis and undergoing TKA; and analyzed data using multivariable modeling. The quality of the evidence per prognostic factor was determined using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework for prognosis studies.

RESULTS

A total of 18 studies were included. There is very low-quality evidence that preoperative more pain, presence of social support, absence of anxiety, and presence of more radiographic damage are prognostic factors for lower pain levels after TKA. There is very low-quality evidence that low preoperative physical function, less comorbidity, absence of anxiety, presence of social support, higher income, normal body mass index, and more radiographic damage are prognostic factors for better physical function. There is very low-quality evidence that female sex and less comorbidity are prognostic factors for better quality of life.

CONCLUSION

Only very low-quality evidence was found for a number of prognostic factors of long-term outcome after TKA. More studies that seek to generate understanding of the underlying process for the prognosis of outcome in TKA are needed to understand and test prognostic pathways, and it might be more valuable to look at recovery curves rather than at recovery points. Systematic review registration number: CRD42015026814.

Differences in Patient-Reported Outcomes Between Unicompartmental and Total Knee Arthroplasties: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to compare the patient-reported outcomes regarding joint awareness, function, and satisfaction after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

METHODS

We identified all patients who underwent a UKA or TKA at our institution between September 2011 and March 2014, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Propensity score matching was performed for age, gender, body mass index, operation side, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score. One hundred UKAs to 100 TKAs were matched. Each knee was evaluated according to the WOMAC score, Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), High Flexion Knee Score (HFKS) and patient's satisfaction at postoperative 2 years.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in WOMAC score at postoperative 2 years between UKA and TKA groups. However, the FJS of the UKA group was significantly higher than that of the TKA group (67.3 ± 19.8 and 60.6 ± 16.6, respectively; P = .011). The HFKS was also significantly higher in the UKA group compared with the TKA group (34.4 ± 6.4 and 31.3 ± 5.2, respectively; P < .001). Eighty-six percent of all patients who underwent UKA were satisfied compared with 71% of those who underwent TKA (P = .027).

CONCLUSION

Patients who underwent UKA had higher FJS, HFKS, and satisfaction rate when compared with patients who underwent TKA, indicating that UKA facilitated less knee awareness and better function and satisfaction than TKA.

Expectations of younger patients concerning activities after knee arthroplasty: are we asking the right questions?

PURPOSE

Indications for total and unicondylar knee arthroplasty (KA) have expanded to younger patients, in which Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) often show ceiling effects. This might be due to higher expectations. Our aims were to explore expectations of younger patients concerning activities in daily life, work and leisure time after KA and to assess to what extent PROMs meet and evaluate these activities of importance.

METHODS

Focus groups were performed among osteoarthritis (OA) patients <65 years awaiting KA, in which they indicated what activities they expected to perform better in daily life, work and leisure time after KA. Additionally, 28 activities of daily life, 17 of work and 27 of leisure time were depicted from seven PROMS, which were rated on importance, frequency and bother. A total score, representing motivation for surgery, was also calculated.

RESULTS

Data saturation was reached after six focus groups including 37 patients. Younger OA patients expect to perform better on 16 activities after KA, including high-impact leisure time activities. From the PROMs, daily life and work activities were rated high in both importance and motivation for surgery, but for leisure time activities importance varied highly between patients. All seven PROMs score activities of importance, but no single PROM incorporates all activities rated important.

CONCLUSION

Younger patients expect to perform better on many activities of daily life, work and leisure time after KA, and often at demanding levels. To measure outcomes of younger patients, we suggest using PROMs that include work and leisure time activities besides daily life activities, in which preferably scored activities can be individualized.

Clinical and Radiographic Results of Attune and PFC Sigma Knee Designs at 2-Year Follow-Up: A Prospective Matched-Pair Analysis

BACKGROUND

Anterior knee pain (AKP) and/or crepitation are important causes of dissatisfaction after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Aim of this prospective, matched-pair study was to compare 2 different designs of patellofemoral (ie, trochlear groove) TKA. The Attune knee has an anatomic trochlear groove with a medialized dome patellar component vs the PFC Sigma with a single radius trochlear groove with a domed shaped patella.

METHODS

Between January 2010 and December 2014, 100 consecutive Attune TKAs were matched to 100 PFC Sigma TKAs based on age, gender, side, and body mass index. All surgeries were performed via medial parapatellar approach and used cemented, posterior-stabilized implants with patellar resurfacing. Clinical evaluations were assessed using Knee Society Scores (KSS) and a patient-administered questionnaire at 2-year follow-up (range, 1.5-3 years).

RESULTS

Based on the KSS clinical rating system, excellent clinical results were achieved in 89.4% and 90.7% of Attune and PFC Sigma TKAs, respectively. There were no significant differences in the KS pain or function scores. The overall incidence of AKP was significantly lower with the Attune knee compared to that of the PFC Sigma (12.5% vs 25.8%; P = .02). The incidence of hearing or feeling noise was also less with the Attune knee (17.7% vs 30.9%; P = .02). The incidence of painful crepitation was low in both groups (1.0% vs 4.1%) with no significant difference between groups (P = .37). Both groups had similar high satisfaction scores of 8.6 and 8.4 for the Attune and PFC groups, respectively (P = .09).

CONCLUSION

At 2-year follow-up, there were no differences between the PFC Sigma and Attune knees in KSS or satisfaction. However, the Attune group had a lesser incidence of AKP and crepitation. Further studies should focus on AKP and noise in cruciate-retaining knees.

[Pain after major elective orthopedic surgery of the lower limb and type of anesthesia: does it matter?]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty are associated with chronic pain development. Of the studies focusing on perioperative factors for chronic pain, few have focused on the differences that might arise from the anesthesia type performed during surgery.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study performed between July 2014 and March 2015 with patients undergoing unilateral elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) for osteoarthritis. Data collection and pain evaluation questionnaires were performed in three different moments: preoperatively, 24hours postoperatively and at 6 months after surgery. To characterize pain, Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) was used and SF-12v2 Health survey was used to further evaluate the sample's health status.

RESULTS

Forty and three patients were enrolled: 25.6% men and 74.4% women, 51,2% for total knee arthroplasty and48.8% for total hip arthroplasty, with a mean age of 68 years. Surgeries were performed in 25.6% of patients under general anesthesia, 55.8% under neuraxial anesthesia and 18.6% under combined anesthesia. Postoperatively, neuraxial anesthesia had a better pain control. Comparing pain evolution between anesthesia groups, neuraxial anesthesia was associated with a decrease in "worst", "medium" and "now" pain at six months. Combined anesthesia was associated with a decrease of "medium" pain scores at six months. Of the three groups, only those in neuraxial group showed a decrease in level of pain interference in "walking ability". TKA, "worst" pain preoperatively and general were predictors of pain development at six months.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with gonarthrosis and severe pain preoperatively may benefit from individualized pre- and intraoperative care, particularly preoperative analgesia and neuraxial anesthesia.

Pain after major elective orthopedic surgery of the lower limb and type of anesthesia: does it matter?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty are associated with chronic pain development. Of the studies focusing on perioperative factors for chronic pain, few have focused on the differences that might arise from the anesthesia type performed during surgery.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study performed between July 2014 and March 2015 with patients undergoing unilateral elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA) for osteoarthritis. Data collection and pain evaluation questionnaires were performed in three different moments: preoperatively, 24 hours postoperatively and at 6 months after surgery. To characterize pain, Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) was used and SF-12v2 Health survey was used to further evaluate the sample's health status.

RESULTS

Forty and three patients were enrolled: 25.6% men and 74.4% women, 51,2% for total knee arthroplasty and48.8% for total hip arthroplasty, with a mean age of 68 years. Surgeries were performed in 25.6% of patients under general anesthesia, 55.8% under neuraxial anesthesia and 18.6% under combined anesthesia. Postoperatively, neuraxial anesthesia had a better pain control. Comparing pain evolution between anesthesia groups, neuraxial anesthesia was associated with a decrease in "worst", "medium" and "now" pain at six months. Combined anesthesia was associated with a decrease of "medium" pain scores at six months. Of the three groups, only those in neuraxial group showed a decrease in level of pain interference in "walking ability". TKA, "worst" pain preoperatively and general were predictors of pain development at six months.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with gonarthrosis and severe pain preoperatively may benefit from individualized pre- and intraoperative care, particularly preoperative analgesia and neuraxial anesthesia.

High-demand motor tasks are more sensitive to detect persisting alterations in muscle activation following total knee replacement

Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most frequent indications for total knee replacement (TKR). Unfortunately, many patients still have difficulties during daily life activities after TKR. As the underlying causes of these difficulties are still not fully understood, especially with regard to the role of aberrant muscle activation profiles, the purpose of this study was to examine to what extent muscle activation patterns return to normal after TKR. Furthermore, we aimed to further discuss remaining differences by linking them to pre- and post-operative measurements of the knee and hip kinetics and kinematics during multiple functional motor tasks. Therefore, muscle activity, kinetics and kinematics of knee and hip were measured and analyzed in seven patients during a number of functional tasks by using electromyography and three-dimensional motion analysis. Measurements were performed one week before and one year after surgery. Results were compared to seven matched healthy controls. The analyzed functional tasks included walking at self-selected speed, walking followed by a crossover and a sidestep turn, step descent and ascent. This study suggested that, while muscle activation profiles in patients one year after TKR did return to normal during walking, this was not the case during more demanding motor tasks. These findings may have direct implications for the design of future rehabilitation programs in order to result in faster recovery and ultimately more functional patients after TKR.

Association between activity limitations and pain in patients scheduled for total knee arthroplasty

Background

Historically, persons scheduled for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have reported severe pain with low demand activities such as walking, but recent data suggests that TKA recipients may have less preoperative pain. Little is known about people who elect TKA with low levels of preoperative pain. To better understand current TKA utilization, we evaluated the association between preoperative pain and difficulty performing high demand activities, such as kneeling and squatting, among TKA recipients.

Methods

We used baseline data from a randomized control trial designed to improve physical activity following TKA. Prior to TKA, participants were categorized according to Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) Pain scores: Low (0–25), Medium (26–40), and High (41–100). Within each group, limitations in both low demand and high demand activities were assessed.

Results

The sample consisted of 202 persons with a mean age of 65 (SD 8) years; 21 %, 34 %, and 45 % were categorized in the Low, Medium, and High Pain groups, respectively. Of the Low Pain group, 60 % reported at least one of the following functional limitations: limited flexion, limp, limited walking distance, and limitations in work or housework. While only 12 % of the Low Pain group reported at least moderate pain with walking on a flat surface, nearly all endorsed at least moderate difficulty with squatting and kneeling.

Conclusions

A substantial number of persons scheduled for TKA report Low WOMAC Pain (≤25) prior to surgery. Persons with Low WOMAC Pain scheduled for TKA frequently report substantial difficulty with high demand activities such as kneeling and squatting. Studies of TKA appropriateness and effectiveness for patients with low WOMAC Pain should include measures of these activities.

Trial registration

Identifier NCT01970631; Registered 23 October 2013.

An Intact Anterior Cruciate Ligament at the Time of Posterior Cruciate Ligament-Retaining Total Knee Arthroplasty Was Associated With Reduced Patient Satisfaction and Inferior Pain and Stair Function

BACKGROUND

Patients with an intact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) at the time of ACL-sacrificing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have been suggested to have inferior outcomes compared with those with a dysfunctional ACL. However, to date, no published clinical studies have evaluated the potential link between the condition of the ACL at the time of posterior cruciate ligament-retaining TKA and postoperative pain, function, and satisfaction. As such, the purpose of this study was to compare subjective function, movement-elicited pain, pain at rest, and patient satisfaction between those with an intact or dysfunctional ACL.

METHODS

We identified 562 posterior cruciate ligament-retaining TKAs with complete intraoperative and postoperative data. Patients were categorized based on the condition of the ACL at the time of TKA as either being intact or dysfunctional (absent or lax). Knee Society Function Scores, movement-elicited pain, pain at rest, and patient satisfaction were then compared between groups.

RESULTS

At mean follow-up of 5.1 years, a significantly lower proportion of patients in the intact group were satisfied with their operation (intact: 391/453 [86.3%] vs dysfunctional: 102/109 [93.6%], P = .0496). Inspection of the individual activities revealed that the groups did not differ in walking ability or pain when walking; however, the intact group reported significantly reduced ability to navigate stairs with greater pain during that activity.

CONCLUSION

The lack of difference in pain at rest between groups suggests that pain and functional impairments during more demanding activities such as navigating stairs may be associated with the lost function of the ACL rather than by altered central pain processing.