FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME AND PATIENT SATISFACTION IN TOTAL KNEE PATIENTS OVER THE AGE OF 75

Seventy-four patients, age 75 or older, who had undergone 98 primary t otal knee arthroplasties were evaluated in a retrospective cohort stud y, with validated questionnaires that assessed self-reported pain, phy sical function, mental health, and satisfaction. Average follow-up per iod was 34 months (range, 12-67 months). Overall, 90.8% reported impro vement, 88.8% were satisfied with the results of surgery, and 91.8% fe lt they had made the right decision. Dissatisfaction with the results correlated with poorer mental health scores, decreased physical functi on, and increased bodily pain scores (P < .05). Satisfaction was corre lated with better pain scores on the Western Ontario and McMaster Univ ersities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and SF-36 (P < .05) but nor with Hospital for Special Surgery scores (P = .328). Poor surgical results leading to revision surgery (5%) were associated with preoperative de formity greater than 20 degrees. Based on this patient-assessed outcom e analysis, total knee arthroplasty is a worthwhile and beneficial pro cedure in the elderly.