Abstract
Ten to twenty percent of patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are dissatisfied with their clinical outcome. Aim of this study was to investigate the impact of personality traits on the subjective outcome of TKA. We investigated 80 patients with 86 computer navigated TKAs. We asked for patients satisfaction and divided patients into two groups (satisfied or dissatisfied). 12 personality traits were tested by the Freiburg Personality Inventory (FPI-R). Postoperative examination included Knee Society Score (KSS), Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Radiologic investigation was done in all patients. 84% of our patients were satisfied, while 16% were not satisfied. The FPI-R showed statistical significant influence of four personality traits on patient satisfaction: life satisfaction (p = 0.006), performance orientation (p = 0.015), somatic distress (p = 0.001), and emotional stability (p = 0.002). All clinical scores (VAS, WOMAC, and KSS) showed significantly better results in the satisfied patient. Radiological examination showed optimal alignment of all TKAs. There were no complications requiring revision surgery. The results of our study show that personality traits may influence patients satisfaction and clinical outcome after TKA. Therefore patients personality traits may be a useful predictive factor for postoperative satisfaction after TKA.
Highlights
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most commonly used procedures for treatment of knee osteoarthritis [1]
The results of our study show that personality traits may influence patients satisfaction and clinical outcome after total knee arthroplasty (TKA)
Satisfied patients showed significantly better clinical outcome postoperatively, there was no difference in range of motion (ROM) and knee stability between the two groups (Table 2)
Summary
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most commonly used procedures for treatment of knee osteoarthritis [1]. There have been several improvements in design and implantation technique over the years, there are still a respective number of patients dissatisfied with the clinical outcome after TKA [2,3,4]. Computer navigated implantation techniques result in improved positioning and alignment of TKAs [5,6,7,8,9] and provide us with a patient cohort with defined alignment of TKAs. Malalignment, range of motion (ROM) [9], patient’s age [10], socioeconomic factors [11], and preoperative severity of osteoarthritis [12] are factors influencing patients’ satisfaction after TKA but some factors still remain unknown. The aim of our study was to investigate if personality traits have an impact on patient’s satisfaction and clinical outcome after navigated TKAs
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
