Role of Knee Flexion in the Quality of Life of Patients Implanted With Primary TKA

Abstract

Achieving complete pain relief and improving mobility are the 2 main goals after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). First is to restore patient function and second is to improve patient quality of life. Mobility after TKA and particularly range of knee flexion is related to the patient, the implant, and last but not least, the surgical management. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of the flexion restoration on the patient's quality of life. Between September 2000 and January 2005, 516 consecutive TKAs in 445 patients operated on in the same center were prospectively followed. The same high-flexion posterostabilized mobile- bearing implant was systematically used. Mean patient's age was 71±8 years, mean body mass index was 28±4kg/m 2 . At follow-up, an objective evaluation was performed by 2 independent observers. Objectively, the postoperative range of knee flexion was 128±4 degrees and the mean Knee Society function and knee scores were respectively 91±6 and 96±3. Higher range of flexion and Knee Society knee scores were significantly correlated with better quality of life scores (P<0.001). The results of this study showed that patient quality of life was correlated with a higher range of knee flexion.