WHAT ARE THE PRE-OPERATIVE PREDICTORS OF FUNCTION AFTER TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the pre-operative predictors of the function component of the WOMAC one year after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using a hierarchical regression model.

The pre-operative and one year post-operative results of 71 patients with knee osteoarthritis who underwent TKA were analysed. First the correlation between the post-operative function component of the WOMAC and a range of pre-operative measures were calculated to determine the independent variables for the hierarchical regression model. Independent pre-operative measures which showed a significant correlation with post-operative function were then entered in the model. Pre-operative measures were divided into three types according to International Classification of Health: (i) Personal characteristics, (ii) body structures and function and (iii) Psychosocial variables.

The following pre-operative measures were correlated with post-operative function: Knee flexion (r=-0.254), extensor strength (r=-0.338), flexor strength (r=-0.257), mental health component of the SF36 (r=-0.304), Tampa scale (fear of movement), (r=0.261), the sense of helplessness due to pain (r=0.264) and Stanford arthritis Self-Efficacy Pain Scale (r=-0.343). This scale is a measure of the person's belief in their capability to cope with their arthritis pain. The higher the score the better the person's self-efficacy.

Only independent pre-operative measures were entered in the models. In step 0, we controlled for age and Body Mass Index (BMI), in step 1 we entered knee flexion and extensor strength (model 1) and in step 2 Self-Efficacy was entered in the model (model2). In model1 extensor strength was a significant predictor of post-operative function (beta =-0.242, p=0.028). In the final model (model3) pre-operative extensor strength (beta =-0.242, p=0.07) and Self-Efficacy (beta -0.266, p=0.046) were the strongest predictors of post-operative function.