FUNCTIONAL ABILITY PERCEIVED BY INDIVIDUALS FOLLOWING TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY COMPARED TO AGE-MATCHED INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT KNEE DISABILITY

A comparison of function of individuals I year after total knee arthro plasty (TKA) with healthy control subjects (controls) meaningfully des cribes outcome in these patients. Perception of function measured by t wo questionnaires, the lower Extremity Activity Profile (LEAP) and the Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and walking an d stair performance was compared between 29 patients, 1 year after TKA , and 40 controls. There was significantly greater perceived difficult y with function in patients with TKA than in controls. In TKA men, LEA P and WOMAC scores correlated respectively with self-paced walk speed (r = -.71 and -.55) and stair performance time (r = 0.70 and 0.68). In TKA women, LEAP difficulty score correlated with self-paced walk spee d (r = -.41) and stair performance time (r = 0.77). By 7 year, TKA sub jects regained 80% of the function of controls. Perception of function after TKA can be measured by either questionnaire in men; however, th e LEAP is the preferable questionnaire with women.