Patient-Reported Activity Levels After Successful Treatment of Infected Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

Infections of total knee replacement can be a devastating complication resulting in significant costs to society and healthcare. However, the physical impact to patients after successful treatment of these periprosthetic infections remains unknown. We performed a retrospective review of 96 patients who had successful treatment of their infected total knee replacements with a static antibiotic impregnated spacer, and quantified their functional status using the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) activity scale and the Knee Society Scores (KSS). Patients reported residual pain and continued disability (KSS pain = 42.0, functional = 43.0) after successful treatment. The average UCLA activity score was 3.4, which correlated to patients returning to limited activities of daily living. Age, sex, and American Society of Anesthesiologist class had no significant impact on the UCLA or KSS scores. These results can be used to help manage patient expectations after successful treatment of these periprosthetic knee infections.