Reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms one year after knee replacement: a register-based cohort study of 403 patients

Patient-Reported Anxiety or Depression Increased the Risk of Dissatisfaction Despite Improvement in Pain or Function Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Swedish Register-Based Observational Study of 8,745 Patients

BACKGROUND

Remaining pain and functional limitations may cause dissatisfaction in patients after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Furthermore, anxiety and depression are associated with remaining postoperative symptoms and dissatisfaction. We investigated if patient-reported anxiety or depression increased the risk of dissatisfaction 1 year after TKA in patients who improved in pain or function.

METHODS

Data on primary TKAs due to osteoarthritis between 2017 and 2019 were obtained from the Swedish Knee Arthroplasty Register. Out of 14,120 patients, 9,911 completed the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and satisfaction rate with the result of the surgery. According to the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology-Osteoarthritis Research Society International criteria patients were classified as responders (improved in pain or function) or nonresponders. Anxiety and depression were assessed through EuroQol-5 Dimension 3 levels. Log-linear regression models estimated the risk ratios (RRs) for dissatisfaction in all patients and stratified by age groups (< 65, 65 to 74, and > 74 years). There were 8,745 patients who were classified as responders whereas 11% were defined as dissatisfied. The proportion of patients who reported anxiety or depression was 35% preoperatively and 17% postoperatively.

RESULTS

Anxiety or depression increased the risk of dissatisfaction preoperatively (RR 1.23, 95% confidence interval = 1.09 to 1.40) and postoperatively (RR 2.65, confidence interval 2.33 to 3.00). Patients younger than 65 years reported preoperative anxiety or depression to a greater extent but did not have an increased risk of dissatisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient-reported anxiety or depression preoperatively and postoperatively are important and potentially treatable factors to consider, as they were found to increase the risk of dissatisfaction after TKA despite improvements in pain or function.

Autologous microfragmented adipose tissue and leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma combined with hyaluronic acid show comparable clinical outcomes for symptomatic early knee osteoarthritis over a two-year follow-up period: a prospective randomized clinical trial

PURPOSE

The purpose of this prospective randomized clinical trial is to compare the clinical outcomes of three injections of leucocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma (LP-PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) to a single dose of autologous microfragmented adipose tissue (AMAT) in patients with mild osteoarthritis at a two-year follow-up.

METHODS

Eighty symptomatic knees in fifty patients (mean age: 62.38 ± 11.88 years) with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 0 to 2 osteoarthritis were non blinded, randomly allocated into two equal groups. Group 1 consisted of 40 knees that received autologous LP-PRP + HA; Group 2 consisted of 40 knees treated with a single dose of AMAT injection. The outcomes were measured by Tegner, Marx, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, International Knee Documentation Committee, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) at 6 (T1), 12 (T2), and 24 (T3) months. Adverse events were recorded at each follow-up timepoint. To assess score differences among subjects of the same gender and age, a subgroup analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Both groups had significant clinical and functional improvement at 6, 12, and 24 months (p < 0.05). Comparing the two groups, the AMAT groups showed significantly higher pre-operative Marx score (3.35 ± 4.91 vs. 1.78 ± 3.91) and VAS score (5.03 ± 2.02 vs. 3.85 ± 1.68) (p < 0.05), higher VAS (3.89 ± 2.51 vs. 2.64 ± 2.00) at T2 and KOOS-ADL (79.60 ± 20.20 vs. 65.68 ± 23.62), and lower KOOS-Sports (50.30 ± 30.15 vs. 68.35 ± 30.39) at T3 (p < 0.05). No patient from either group had experienced major adverse effects. In the LP-PRP group 12 (30%) patients presented swelling, redness, and mild pain for one day after injection and two patients had synovitis for two days and required paracetamol and local ice. In AMAT group 5 (12.5%) patients had ecchymosis and bruising at the fat aspiration site for three days.

CONCLUSION

AMAT did not show significant superior clinical improvement compared with three LP-PRP combined with HA injections in terms of functional improvement at different follow-up points. Both procedures were safe with no major complications reporting good results at mid-term follow-up, improving knee function, pain, and quality of live regardless of age and gender.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I-Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial.

"I am accustomed to something in my body causing pain": a qualitative study of knee replacement non-improvers' stories of previous painful and stressful experiences

BACKGROUND

Approximately 20% of total knee arthroplasty patients experience persistent postsurgical pain one year after surgery. No qualitative studies have explored previous stories of painful or stressful life experiences in patients experiencing persistent postsurgical pain after total knee replacement. This study aimed to explore stories of previous painful or stressful experiences in life in a cohort of patients that reported no improvement in pain one year after total knee arthroplasty.

METHODS

The study employed an explorative-descriptive qualitative design. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews five to seven years after surgery, with patients who reported no improvement in pain-related interference with walking 12 months after total knee replacement. The data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 13 women and 10 men with a median age of 67 years at the time of surgery. Prior to surgery, six reported having at least one chronic illness and 16 reported having two or more painful sites. Two main themes were identified in the data analysis: Painful years - the burden of living with long lasting pain, and the burden of living with psychological distress.

CONCLUSIONS

The participants had severe longlasting knee pain as well as longlasting pain in other locations, in addition to experiences of psychologically stressful life events before surgery. Health personnel needs to address the experience and perception of pain and psychological struggles, and how it influences patients' everyday life including sleeping routines, work- and family life as well as to identify possible vulnerability for persistent postsurgical pain. Identifying and assessing the challenges enables personalized care and support, such as advice on pain management, cognitive support, guided rehabilitation, and coping strategies both pre-and post-surgery.

Presence of Night Pain, Neuropathic Pain, or Depressive Disorder Does Not Adversely Affect Outcomes After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

A considerable proportion of patients warranting total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have night pain, neuropathic pain, and/or depressive disorder, which may not be resolved by TKA. This prospective, longitudinal cohort study aimed to document the prevalence of night pain, neuropathic pain, and depressive disorder in patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis undergoing TKA and to determine whether the specific coexisting pain and/or disorder at the time of TKA adversely affected postoperative outcomes.

METHODS

In this study, 148 patients undergoing TKA were longitudinally evaluated. The presence of night pain, neuropathic pain (determined using Douleur Neuropathique 4 [DN4]) and depressive disorder (determined using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]) was determined before and 6 weeks, 3 months and 1 year after TKA. In addition, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) scores were assessed before and 1 year after TKA. Potential associations of night pain, neuropathic pain, and/or depressive disorder with pre- and postoperative WOMAC and EQ-5D scores were examined in subgroup analyses.

RESULTS

Preoperatively, 72% (n = 106) of patients reported night pain, and the prevalences of neuropathic pain and depressive disorder were 15% and 17%, respectively. Preoperatively, compared with patients without night pain, those with night pain had significantly poorer preoperative WOMAC scores, but no significant difference was seen between groups 1 year after TKA. Preoperatively, the WOMAC, EQ-5D, and EQ-5D health scores of patients with neuropathic pain were not significantly different from those of patients without neuropathic pain, and there was no difference in clinical outcome scores 1 year after TKA between these groups. Preoperatively, the patients with depressive disorder showed significantly poorer preoperative WOMAC, EQ-5D, and EQ-5D health scores than those without depressive disorder, but no significant differences in scores were observed 1 year after TKA between these groups.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed a considerable prevalence of night pain, neuropathic pain, and depressive disorder in patients undergoing TKA and that patients with these specific conditions reported poorer functional and quality of life scores preoperatively. However, such adverse effects disappeared after TKA. Our study findings suggest that TKA can provide satisfactory outcomes for patients with these specific conditions.

Do symptoms of anxiety and/or depression and pain intensity before primary Total knee arthroplasty influence reason for revision? Results of an observational study from the Dutch arthroplasty register in 56,233 patients

OBJECTIVE

Anxiety, depression and greater pain intensity before total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may increase the probability of revision surgery for remaining symptoms even without clear pathology or technical issues. We aimed to assess whether preoperative anxiety/depression and pain intensity are associated with revision TKA for less clear indications.

METHODS

Less clear indications for revision were defined after a Delphi process in which consensus was reached among 59 orthopaedic knee experts. We performed a cox regression analyses on primary TKA patients registered in the Dutch Arthroplasty Registry (LROI) who completed the EuroQol 5D 3 L (EQ5D-3 L) anxiety/depression score to examine associations between preoperative anxiety/depression and pain (Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)) with TKA revision for less clear reasons. These analyses were adjusted for age, BMI, sex, smoking, ASA score, EQ5D-3 L thermometer and OKS score.

RESULTS

In total, 25.9% patients of the 56,233 included patients reported moderate or severe symptoms of anxiety/depression on the EQ5D-3 L anxiety/depression score. Of those, 615 revisions (45.5%) were performed for less clear reasons for revision (patellar pain, malalignment, instability, progression of osteoarthritis or arthrofibrosis). Not EQ5D-3 L anxiety/depression score, but higher NRS pain at rest and EQ5D-3 L pain score were associated with revision for less clear reason (HR: 1.058, 95% CI 1.019-1.099 & HR: 1.241, 95% CI 1.044-1.476, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that pain intensity is a risk factor for TKA revision for a less clear reason. The finding that preoperative pain intensity was associated with reason for revision confirms a likely influence of subjective, personal factors on offer and acceptance of TKA revision. The association between anxiety/depression and reason for revision after TKA may also be found when including more specific outcome measures to assess anxiety/depression and we therefore hope to encourage further research on this topic with our study, ideally in a prospective setting.

STUDY DESIGN

Longitudinal Cohort Study Level III, Delphi Consensus.

Are There Distinct Statistical Groupings of Mental Health Factors and Pathophysiology Severity Among People with Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis Presenting for Specialty Care?

BACKGROUND

There is mounting evidence that objective measures of pathophysiology do not correlate well with symptom intensity. A growing line of inquiry identifies statistical combinations (so-called "phenotypes") of various levels of distress and unhelpful thoughts that are associated with distinct levels of symptom intensity and magnitude of incapability. As a next step, it would be helpful to understand how distress and unhelpful thoughts interact with objective measures of pathologic conditions such as the radiologic severity of osteoarthritis. The ability to identify phenotypes of these factors that are associated with distinct levels of illness could contribute to improved personalized musculoskeletal care in a comprehensive, patient-centered model.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

(1) When measures of mental health are paired with radiologic osteoarthritis severity, are there distinct phenotypes among adult patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis? (2) Is there a difference in the degree of capability and pain self-efficacy among the identified mental health and radiologic phenotypes? (3) When capability (Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function [PROMIS PF]) is paired with radiographic osteoarthritis severity, are there distinct phenotypes among patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis? (4) Is there a difference in mental health among patients with the identified capability and radiologic phenotypes?

METHODS

We performed a secondary analysis of data from a study of 119 patients who presented for musculoskeletal specialty care for hip or knee osteoarthritis. Sixty-seven percent (80 of 119) of patients were women, with a mean age of 62 ± 10 years. Seventy-six percent (91 of 119) of patients had knee osteoarthritis, and 59% (70 of 119) had an advanced radiographic grade of osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade 3 or higher). This dataset is well-suited for our current experiment because the initial study had broad enrollment criteria, making these data applicable to a diverse population and because patients had sufficient variability in radiographic severity of osteoarthritis. All new and returning patients were screened for eligibility. We do not record the percentage of eligible patients who do not participate in cross-sectional surveys, but the rate is typically high (more than 80%). One hundred forty-eight eligible patients started the questionnaires, and 20% (29 of 148) of patients did not complete at least 60% of the questionnaires and were excluded, leaving 119 patients available for analysis. We measured psychologic distress (Patient Health Questionnaire-2 [PHQ-2] and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 questionnaire [GAD-2]), unhelpful thoughts about pain (Pain Catastrophizing Scale-4 [PCS-4]), self-efficacy when in pain (Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire-2), and capability (PROMIS PF). One of two arthroplasty fellowship-trained surgeons assigned the Kellgren-Lawrence grade of osteoarthritis based on radiographs in the original study. We used a cluster analysis to generate two sets of phenotypes: (1) measures of mental health (PHQ-2, GAD-2, PCS-4) paired with the Kellgren-Lawrence grade and (2) capability (PROMIS PF) paired with the Kellgren-Lawrence grade. We used one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis H tests to assess differences in capability and self-efficacy and mental health, respectively.

RESULTS

When pairing measures of psychologic distress (PHQ-2 and GAD-2) and unhelpful thoughts (catastrophic thinking) with the grade of radiographic osteoarthritis, six distinct phenotypes arose. These groups differed in terms of capability and pain self-efficacy (for example, mild pathology/low distress versus average pathology/high distress [PROMIS PF, mean ± standard deviation]: 43 ± 6.3 versus 33 ± 4.8; p = 0.003). When pairing the degree of capability (PROMIS PF) with the Kellgren-Lawrence grade, four distinct phenotypes arose. Patients in three of these did not differ in terms of disease severity but had notable variation in the degree of limitations. Patients with these radiologic and capability phenotypes differed in terms of distress and unhelpful thoughts (for example, moderate pathology/low capability versus mild pathology/high capability [PHQ-2, median and interquartile range]: 3 [1 to 5] versus 0 [0 to 0]; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Statistical groupings ("phenotypes") that include both measures of pathology and mental health are associated with differences in symptom intensity and magnitude of incapability and have the potential to help musculoskeletal specialists discern mental and social health priorities. Future investigations may test whether illness phenotype-specific comprehensive biopsychosocial treatment strategies are more effective than treatment of pathology alone.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, prognostic study.

Does psychological distress influence postoperative satisfaction and outcomes in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty? A prospective cohort study

Background

Preoperative psychological distress may be related to dissatisfaction and poorer outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, the kind of psychological distress that could influence postoperative satisfaction and outcomes remains controversial. Few studies have examined these issues in Chinese cohorts. Thus, this study aimed to examine (1) the prevalence of preoperative psychological distress in patients undergoing TKA and (2) whether preoperative psychological distress influences patient satisfaction, early postoperative outcomes, and improvement of knee function after TKA.

Methods

We prospectively included 210 patients undergoing unilateral primary TKA between March 2017 and September 2017 at our institution. Preoperatively, patients completed the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales and new Knee Society Scores (KSS) questionnaires. At 3 months and 1 year postoperatively, patients’ KSS and overall satisfaction were assessed. Stepwise multivariate linear regression models were used to assess the variables that influenced changes in each KSS item.

Results

Preoperatively, 89 (42.4%) patients experienced psychological distress. The satisfaction rate and postoperative KSS were not significantly different between patients with or without psychological distress; a higher preoperative score was shown to predict less KSS improvement. Patients with depression had fewer symptom score changes.

Conclusions

The prevalence of preoperative psychological distress was relatively high; thus, surgeons should consider the patient’s psychological state. Patients’ satisfaction was not influenced by psychological factors. Patients with depression and higher preoperative scores had lower symptom scores and KSS improvement, respectively.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-021-04528-7.

A new robotically assisted system for total knee arthroplasty: A sheep model study

BACKGROUND

We investigated the accuracy and safety of a new HURWA robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) system in a sheep model.

METHODS

Ten male small-tailed Han sheep were used in this study. Sheep were imaged by computed tomography scan before and after bone resection and the cutting errors between actual bone preparation and preoperative planning of the femur and tibia in three dimensions were measured.

RESULTS

The overall accuracies after surgery compared with that from preoperative surgical planning of the left and right femurs were 1.93 ± 1.02° and 1.93 ± 1.23°, respectively. Additionally, similarly high overall accuracies for the left and right tibia of 1.26 ± 1.04 and 1.68 ± 0.92°, respectively, were obtained. The gap distances of the distal cut, anterior chamfer, anterior cut, posterior chamfer and posterior cut on the medial side were 0.47 ± 0.35 mm, 0.41 ± 0.37 mm, 0.12 ± 0.26 mm, 0.41 ± 0.44 mm and 0.12 ± 0.23 mm, respectively. No intraoperative complications, such as intraoperative fracture, massive bleeding or death, occurred.

CONCLUSION

This new HURWA robotic-assisted TKA system is an accurate and safe tool for TKA surgery based on the sheep model.