FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF ARTHRODESIS FOR FAILED TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

To establish the ability of a salvage procedure to restore an independ ent lifestyle, the SF-36 functional outcome instrument and the pain, m obility, and physical activity subscales of the Arthritis Impact Measu rement Scale (AIMS) was used to assess patient function. Nine patients (10 knees) who had undergone arthrodesis for failed total knee arthro plasty were compared with a control group of successful primary total knee arthroplasty patients. Average clinical follow-up was 42 months ( minimum: 24 months). For six of the eight SF-36 categories, the averag e scores for the arthrodesis and arthroplasty groups were similar. The average global scores for the two groups were nearly identical. The a rthroplasty patients scored better on the AIMS physical activity and m obility subscales than the arthrodesis group, although the latter grou p fared better on the pain subscale. Overall, global scores favored th e arthroplasty patients. The only subscales to show a statistically si gnificant difference between the arthrodesis and arthroplasty groups w ere the SF-36 physical functioning and the AIMS physical activity subs cales. This pilot study demonstrated the ability of a salvage procedur e to allow for an independent lifestyle with minimal complications. Fu rthermore, despite its popularity, the SF-36 does not appear as sensit ive as the AIMS to differences in functional status or health outcomes between total knee arthroplasty and arthrodesis patients.