Patients follow three distinct outcome trajectories following total knee arthroplasty

D.F. Hamilton*, J. Shim, C.R. Howie, G.J. Macfarlane

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)
206 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Aims: Although total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a highly successful procedure, about 20% of patients remain dissatisfied postoperatively. This proportion is derived from dichotomous models of the assessment of surgical success or failure, which may not reflect the spectrum of outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore differing responses to surgery, and assess whether there are distinct groups of patients with differing patterns of outcome.

Methods: This was a secondary analysis of a UK multicentre TKA longitudinal cohort study. We used a group-based trajectory modelling analysis of Oxford Knee Score (OKS) in the first year following surgery with longitudinal data involving five different timepoints and multiple predictor variables. Associations between the derived trajectory groups and categorical baseline variables were assessed, and predictors of trajectory group membership were identified using Poisson regression and multinomial logistic regression, as appropriate. The final model was adjusted for sociodemographic factors (age, sex) and baseline OKS.

Results: Data from 731 patients were available for analysis. Three distinct trajectories of outcome were identified: “poor” 14.0%, “modest” 39.1%, and “good” 46.9%. The predicted probability of membership for patients assigned to each trajectory group was high (0.89 to 0.93). Preoperative mental, physical health, and psychosocial factors determined which trajectory is likely to be followed. Poor responders were characterized by a comparatively small number of factors, preoperative expectations of pain and limitations, coping strategies, and a lower baseline physical health status, while the good responders were characterized by a combination of clinical, psychosocial, mental health, and quality of life factors.

Conclusion: We identified three distinct response trajectories in patients undergoing TKA. Controlling for baseline score, age, and sex, psychosocial factors such as expectations of pain and limited function and poor coping strategies differentiated the trajectory groups, suggesting a role for preoperative psychosocial support in optimizing the clinical outcome.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1096-1102
Number of pages7
JournalBone and Joint Journal
Volume103-B
Issue number6
Early online date1 Jun 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • total knee arthroplasty
  • Oxford Knee Score
  • outcomes
  • trajectory modelling

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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