PROGNOSTIC FACTORS FOR FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT -A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

Background. The objective was to investigate whether baseline physical functioning, medical, psychosocial, or demographic variables predict functional outcome in patients undergoing total knee replacement. Meth ods. A prospective cohort study was performed between December 1991 an d August 1993. Consecutive, unilateral tricompartmental total knee rep lacement patients aged greater than or equal to 55 yr with osteoarthri tis, who met criteria, were enrolled and evaluated one month before an d 3 months after total knee replacement. The primary outcome measure w as the Medical Outcome Study 36 Item Short Form Health Survey (known a s the SF36) Physical Functioning Scale score. The outcome evaluator vi as not involved in patient care. Conclusions. Psychosocial variables a re significantly related to total knee replacement functional outcome. Assessment of baseline psychological and social functioning may ident ify a subset of patients at risk for worse outcome. Specific intervent ions for these patients should be developed and evaluated as component s of patient management prior to and after the procedure.