Patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for knee issues experience significant improvements in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Pain levels drop sharply within six months after surgery, and overall scores remain higher than pre-operative levels even 15 years later.
Long-Term Recovery Insights
Body-related functions improve rapidly post-surgery but stabilize over time. In contrast, social functions continue to rise, becoming a key driver of enhanced quality of life. This trend highlights how joint replacement supports broader daily activities and social engagement.
Osteoarthritis, a common cause of TKA, leads to pain and mobility loss. However, post-surgery data shows patients maintain joint function while gaining independence in social roles.
Study Details and Findings
Researchers at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, along with experts from Cheongbyeon Seon, Noduhyun, and Hanhyuksu, analyzed 1,264 patients who received TKA between 2005 and 2013. The average age was 68.5 years, with 93.7% female participants. PROMs were assessed over 20 years.
Specialized scores remained stable or better than pre-surgery baselines up to five years post-operation. Everyday activity scores, such as those from KSFS, showed meaningful gains from 10 to 15 years, reflecting reduced pain and increased activity.
Analysis using SF-36 revealed overall positive outcomes. Body function scores plateaued after five years, aligning with typical recovery patterns. Social function scores, however, showed sustained, significant improvements throughout the period.
Among patients over 80, body function declined with age, but social function scores rose notably. Detailed breakdowns indicate female patients, who dominate the group, benefit most in pain relief, mobility, and activity-related metrics.
Publication and Implications
This national collaborative study appears in the top-tier The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS). Findings underscore TKA’s enduring benefits, particularly for social well-being in aging populations.
