A Clinical Evaluation of Functional Outcomes After Total Knee Replacement in Elderly Patients

Abstract

Background: Total knee replacement (TKR) is a proven surgical procedure to address advanced knee osteoarthritis, a degenerative disorder that severely affects mobility and quality of life in elderly patients. As life expectancy increases, the burden of knee osteoarthritis has increased, and the effective treatment strategies are needed to restore the functional capacity and relieve the pain.

Aim: To clinically evaluate the functional outcomes following total knee replacement in elderly patients.

Methodology: The study was a prospective observational study, which was carried out in the Department of Orthopaedics, Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences, Nalgonda, Andhra Pradesh, India, in one year. One hundred and sixty patients who had primary total knee replacement aged 60 years and above were included. The demographic data, preoperative and postoperative functional status, range of motion (ROM), and pain scores were gathered. The Knee Society Score (KSS), ROM measurements, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were used to evaluate functional outcomes. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were used to carry out the statistical analysis.

Results: Most of the sample consisted of 60-70 years (52.5) old and had a female majority (62.5). Preoperatively, most patients had poor KSS (68.8%), restricted ROM (<90° in 65.6%), and severe pain (75.0%). After surgery, there were great KSS results in 78.1% of the patients, 75.0% of whom had ROM ≥110 and 81.3% of whom complained of mild pain. There was substantial change in functional parameters with 93.8% of these parameters improving in KSS, 87.5% improving in ROM and 93.8% reporting pain relief.

Conclusion: Total knee replacement is a most effective surgery procedure that is applicable to very old patients with severe knee osteoarthritis that brings about great improvement in pain relief, joint functioning and mobility. The procedure is highly successful and helps significantly in improving the quality of life and functional independence.

Keywords: Total knee replacement, Elderly patients, Knee osteoarthritis, Functional outcome, Knee Society Score, Range of motion, Pain assessment.