A short term analysis of the clinical and functional outcome following total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this short term prospective study is to present a data on the clinical and functional outcome of total knee arthroplasty done for primary osteoarthritis.Method and Material: It is a Prospective study was conducted at Bapuji and Chigateri General Hospital attached to JJM Medical College, Davangere for a period of two years from July2018 to July 2020. Patients with primary Osteoarthritis of the knee joint, undergoing TKA were included in the study. Patients with less than 6 months follow up and patients lost to follow up were excluded from the study.Result: A total of 30 knee replacements performed in 22 pateints were included. The average age is 62.4 yrs at the time of surgery. There were 17 females and 5 males in our study. 12 Pateints had unilateral total knee replacements. 6 pateints underwent simultaneous bilateral total knee replacements in a single stage. 3 pateints had staged bilateral total knee replacements. 22 Knees (73.33%) were completely pain free at final follow up, 6 knees (20%) had mild (or) occasional vague pain, 2 knee (6.66%) had pain for climbing stairs only. Average Pre op ROM was 86.4 degrees which improved to 99.6 degrees. All the 30 knees were stable anteroposteriorly both pre & post operatively. 4 knees were unstable mediolaterally which was corrected post operatively. 28 knees had varus deformity of avg 11.08 degree and 2 knee had valgus deformity of 20 degrees. All the knees were correctable to an average postoperative valgus of 4.4 degrees. Knee society clinical scoring system the average score for all the 30 knees was 35 points preoperatively and average score was 93 points at final follow up with 26 knees (86.66 %) had excellent final scores. The average preoperative functional score was 36 which improved to an average functional score of 90 postoperatively at final follow up with 25 knees (83.33 %) had excellent functional scores. No evidence of malalignment (or) loosening in the femoral and tibial components was noted.Conclusion: This is a study with a short term follow up ranging from 6 months to 26 months. Functional results have been good irrespective of the severity of the preoperative deformities. Patient satisfaction in terms of pain relief, and improvement in walking and stair climbing ability is good following total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis.