Functional improvement after hip and knee arthroplasty: 6-month follow-up with a new functional assessment system

Abstract

Altogether, 271 patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee were evaluated pre-and post-operatively using a new functional assessment system for lower-extremity dysfunction, primarily intended as an instrument for physiotherapists. This system consists of 20 variables arranged in five functional groups. The results are used to construct a profile diagram, which is tested for validity, reliability, discriminatory power, sensitivity and specificity. Functional status was recorded pre-operatively and an individual goal profile constructed. The patients were followed up 6 months post-arthroplasty. In 153 patients with osteoarthritis of the hip, there was a drastic and significantly different reduction in their disability; in 118 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, there was a less impressive, but still significantly different, reduction in their disability. A high proportion of patients in both groups achieved their treatment goals. The functional assessment system seemed well suited for such an ev...