Abstract
Aims
The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of total knee arthroplasty in different ethnic groups and compare pre-operative and post-operative function using the Oxford Knee Score (OKS).
Background
King's College Hospital serves one of the most ethnically diverse areas of the UK. The prevalence of TKR differs between different ethnic and demographic groups.
Methods
Data was collected prospectively on 150 consecutive patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Oxford Knee Scores were recorded pre-operatively, and then post-operatively at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months. The ethnic data was obtained from the patient's clinical notes.
Results
The mean preoperative OKS was 18 (maximum 48) across all ethnic groups and improved to 37 post-operatively. The white ethnic groups made up 66.89% of all our TKR patients, whilst making up 64.32% of the local population. There is a significant difference between the pre-operative functional score between black and white ethnic groups (14 vs 18.6, p = 0.007). At 12 months the functional outcome is not significantly different (36.73 vs 36.90, p>0.05).
Conclusions
We have presented the ethnicity breakdown of our TKR population. The White patients represent the largest group utilising TKR services. We found that patients of Black ethnicity were the second largest group using our service but they present with a significantly lower preoperative functional knee scores compared to white patients. Both groups benefit similarly after surgery. This implies Black ethnic groups seek help later and with more disability. The availability and benefits of TKR in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis should be promoted amongst the Black community.
