Non-arthroplasty treatment did not adversely affect TKA outcomes

SAN DIEGO — Initial treatment with physical therapy, knee arthroscopy, or minimal or no treatment prior to total knee arthroplasty did not adversely affect the outcomes of total knee arthroplasty, according to results presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting.

“For patients who eventually require total knee arthroplasty, the initial non-arthroplasty arthroscopic intervention does not adversely affect the outcome of TKA in this defined cohort,” Ronald A. Navarro, MD, said in his presentation here.

Ronald A. Navarro

Navarro and colleagues categorized 4,303 patients who underwent pre-total knee arthroplasty (TKA) treatment into three groups: pre-treatment with knee arthroscopy; physical therapy; or minimal or no treatment.

“Our outcomes of interest were revision within 1 year [and] 90-day infection rates. We had secondary outcomes including post-total knee visits for knee pain, as well as use of narcotic pain medication,” Navarro said.

Results showed a 1.2% to 1.6% revision rate within 1 year. Navarro noted a 90-day infection rate of 0.2% to 0.5%, as well as a rate of post-total knee visits of 0.1% to 0.2% and a rate of postoperative use of narcotic pain medication of 17% to 18%. No difference was found between treatment groups with regard to 1-year revision, 90-day infection rates or any complication within 1 year.

“With regard to postoperative visits and pain meds, there was also no difference in knee pain visits post-surgery or pain medication either at post-surgery or 1-year follow-up between groups,” Navarro said. – by Casey Tingle

Reference:

Adams AL, et al. Paper #228. Presented at: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting. March 14-18, 2017; San Diego.

Disclosure: Navarro reports no relevant financial disclosures.