Measuring functional improvement after total knee arthroplasty requires both performance-based and patient-report assessments: a longitudinal analysis of outcomes

J Arthroplasty. 2011 Aug;26(5):728-37. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2010.06.004. Epub 2010 Sep 20.

Abstract

The purpose was to explore the responsiveness of both patient-report and performance-based outcome measures to determine functional changes during the acute and long-term postoperative recovery after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). One hundred patients scheduled for unilateral TKA underwent testing preoperatively and at 1 and 12 months postoperatively using the Delaware Osteoarthritis Profile. All physical performance measures decreased initially after surgery then increased in the long term; however, the perceived function did not follow the same trend, and some showed an increase immediately after surgery. Patient-report measures were variable, with no to small response early, but had excellent long-term responsiveness that was twice as large as performance measures. Patient perception fails to capture the acute functional declines after TKA and may overstate the long-term functional improvement with surgery.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee*
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Knee Joint / physiology*
  • Knee Joint / surgery
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Strength / physiology
  • Osteoarthritis, Knee / surgery*
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / methods*
  • Pain, Postoperative
  • Range of Motion, Articular / physiology*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Self Concept
  • Self Report*
  • Treatment Outcome