We present a retrospective study of a consecutive cohort of 109 patients, under the age of 60, who had either a patello-femoral replacement (PFR), uni-compartmental replacement (UKR) or a total knee replacement (TKR). They were operated on by 2 senior surgeons between 2002 and 2006 at the Avon Orthopaedic Centre in Bristol. The aim of this study was to look at the effect of knee replacement on the employment status of this group of patients.

Data were collected from patient’s hospital records and a questionnaire regarding occupational status sent postoperatively to patients. Statistical analysis showed that our groups were similar which meant that further comparison between them was valid.

Eighty two percent of patients who were working prior to surgery and who had either a TKR or UKR were able to return to work postoperatively. Only 54% of those who had a PFR were able to return to work and this was statistically significant when compared with patients in the other two groups p=0.047. The median time for return to work postoperatively for the study population was 12 weeks. Those in the PFR group took significantly longer to do so (20 weeks) compared to those who had either a UKR (11 weeks) or TKR (12 weeks) p=0.01. Patient’s subjective opinion as to their ability to work following knee arthroplasty was worse in the PFR group p=0.049.

This is the first study to compare employment status following patello-femoral, uni-compartmental knee and Total Knee Replacement. TKR and UKR are effective in returning patients to active employment and that this is typically 3 months following surgery. Patients who had a PFR did not experience the same benefits in terms of numbers returning to work, time to do so and their subjective opinion as to their ability to cope with normal duties.

We performed a retrospective study of a consecutive cohort of 109 patients, under the age of 60 years, who had either a Patellofemoral replacement (PFR), Uni-compartmental replacement (UKR) or a Total knee replacement (TKR). They were operated on by 2 senior surgeons between 2002 and 2006 at the Avon Orthopaedic Centre in Bristol. The aim of this study was to examine and compare the effect of knee replacement on the employment status of this group of patients.

Demographic and diagnostic data were collected from patient’s hospital records and a detailed questionnaire regarding occupational status sent postoperatively. Of the 109 patients, 37 underwent PFR, 31 UKR and 41 TKR. The study population included 38 men and 71 women and the mean age for both sexes was 53 years (range 40–60 years).

82% of patients who were working prior to surgery and who had either a TKR or UKR were able to return to work postoperatively. Only 54% of those who had a PFR were able to return to work and this was statistically significant when compared with patients in the other two groups p=0.47. The median time for return to work postoperatively for the study population was 12 months. Those in the PFR group took significantly longer to do so (20 months) compared to those who had either a UKR (11 months) or TKR (12 months) p=0.01. Patient’s subjective opinion as to their ability to work following knee arthroplasty was worse in the PFR group p=0.049.

This is the first study to compare employment status following Patellofemoral, Unicompartmental knee and Total Knee Replacement. TKR and UKR are effective in returning patients to active employment and this is typically one year following operation. Those patients who had a PFR did not experience the same benefits in terms of numbers returning to work, time to do so and their subjective opinion as to their ability to cope with normal duties.

Increasing emphasis is placed on outcomes research. In this community study knee outcomes scores were evaluated in a ‘normal’ elderly population

The American knee society (AKS), Oxford, and Bristol knee scores were recorded in 100 elderly people without a history of lower limb disorder. The mean age of subjects was 72 years. Mean normalised scores were 90%, 91% and 94% for AKS, Oxford and Bristol knee scores respectively. There were significant negative correlations between knee score and advanced age (p< 0.001) and knee score and co-existent major medical disorders (p< 0.001). The function component was the score component most senitive to these variables (p< 0.001)

Control studies are necessary if knee scores are to be taken as accurate measures of outcome. Comparison of outcome after knee replacement on the basis of knee scores should take account of demographic variables. Scores with a large ‘function’ component appear to be more susceptible to demographic variation.