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Prospective study showed TKA not detrimental to patient participation in sports

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BARCELONA — Results of a study presented at European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy Congress, here, showed patients who participated in sports before total knee arthroplasty were able to participate in sports postoperatively and in some cases, patients were more active in sports after surgery.

Caroline Hepperger, MSc, presented results of a prospective study she and her colleagues conducted to evaluate sports behavior preoperatively and postoperatively in 180 patients who underwent cemented cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Two surgeons operated on the patients, and all the patients had 24 months of follow-up.

“Preoperative[ly], 78% of the patients participated in sports in comparison to 83% after 24 months,” Hepperger said.

The investigators compared the patients’ mean preoperative and postoperative Tegner scores, Oxford Knee Scores (OKS) and VAS pain scores, and set the statistical significance at P < 0.05.

Hepperger reported significant increases in the three outcome measures postoperatively vs. the preoperative baseline scores. For example, the mean preoperative OKS score was 24.4. It increased to 35.2 after 6 months and continued to increase, she said.

The patients noted they preferred to hike, cycle, ski and cross country ski after TKA, among other sports.

“This study documented that patients were not only able to maintain, but to increase activity following surgery. Since subjective scores, such as the OKS and the VAS for pain, improved significantly over preoperative [measures] and no detrimental effects on short-term clinical outcomes occurred, we conclude that patients should be motivated toward sport participation following total knee replacement,” Hepperger said.  – by Susan M. Rapp

Reference:

Hepperger C, et al. Paper #FP26-1831. Presented at: European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy Congress; May 4-7, 2016; Barcelona, Spain.

Disclosure: Hepperger reports no relevant financial disclosures.