This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Men experience higher levels of function after TKA at mid-term follow-up
Both men and women may benefit from total knee arthroplasty, however based on results of this study men had higher levels of function and activity both preoperatively and postoperatively than the women.
Using a prospectively collected database, researchers identified 272 total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) with 7 years follow-up and the patients were evaluated for survivorship and outcomes in terms of function, activity and quality of life.
The results showed a mean overall survivorship at 5 years of 100% for men and 99.1% for women. There were better final functional outcomes among then men, according to outcomes based on Knee Society Score (KSS) functional, Lower Extremity Activity Scores (LEAS) and SF-physical scores. Men also experienced higher preoperative KSS functional, LEAS, SF-36 physical and mental scores.
Michael A. Mont
The functional KSS, LEAS and SF-36 functional scores remained higher in men at 6 weeks and 3 months after surgery, but the mental scores were about the same for the men and women. Results also showed that men, in the 6-week period immediately following TKA, exhibited quicker recovery times than women.
Researchers noted significantly higher functional KSS and SF-36 physical scores among men at 1-year follow-up, and significantly higher functional KSS, LEAS and SF-36 physical and mental scores in men at 2-year follow-up. At 5 and 7 years, results showed significantly higher KSS functional scores in men but no significant differences between the men’s and women’s activity scores. At 5 years, similar improvements were found in the mean functional KSS score and range of motion between men and women. While researchers found significantly higher SF-36 physical scores in men at 5 years and 7 years, SF-36 physical component scores improved consistently in the year following surgery among both men and women.
According to a multiple linear regression analysis, no effects were seen on the SF-36 mental component and KSS knee scores, but female gender had a negative effect on LEAS, SF-36 physical component and KSS functional scores. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: Cherian is a paid consultant for DJO Global.