A comparison of patient-reported and measured range of motion in a cohort of total knee arthroplasty patients

J Arthroplasty. 2014 Jul;29(7):1378-1382.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2014.02.023. Epub 2014 Feb 26.

Abstract

Range of motion (ROM) is an important component of the assessment of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) outcome. We compared patient-reported versus clinically observed ROM in a prospective cohort. Clinically observed ROM was measured using a goniometer by a trained research assistant. Self-reported ROM was estimated using a set of lateral knee photographs depicting varying levels of flexion and extension. All measures were taken pre-operatively, three, and six months postoperatively. We found statistically significant associations between self-reported ROM and clinically observed ROM for flexion and extension (all P < 0.001). We dichotomized flexion at 90° and found that self-report had a specificity of 94% and sensitivity of 65%. We conclude that patient-reported ROM may be a useful outcome measure for TKA.

Keywords: knee osteoarthritis; range of motion; rehabilitation; self-reported outcomes; total knee arthroplasty.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Knee Joint / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Orthopedics / methods
  • Osteoarthritis, Knee / physiopathology*
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Prospective Studies
  • Range of Motion, Articular*
  • Self Report
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome