Functional outcome and patient satisfaction in total knee patients over the age of 75

Abstract

Seventy-four patients, age 75 or older, who had undergone 98 primary total knee arthroplasties were evaluated in a retrospective cohort study, with validated questionnaires that assessed self-reported pain, physical function, mental health, and satisfaction. Average follow-up period was 34 months (range, 12-67 months). Overall, 90.8% reported improvement, 88.8% were satisfied with the results of surgery, and 91.8% felt they had made the right decision. Dissatisfaction with the results correlated with poorer mental health scores, decreased physical function, and increased bodily pain scores (P < .05). Satisfaction was correlated with better pain scores on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and SF-36 (P < .05) but not with Hospital for Special Surgery scores (P = .328). Poor surgical results leading to revision surgery (5%) were associated with preoperative deformity greater than 20 degrees. Based on this patient-assessed outcome analysis, total knee arthroplasty is a worthwhile and beneficial procedure in the elderly.