Knee joint function, walking ability and quality of life within 6 weeks after total knee arthroplasty: A prospective cohort study

Aims and objectives To track changes in patients’ knee function, walking ability and quality of life (QOL) before and after knee arthroplasty surgery and explore factors that influenced these parameters. Background The number of days as an inpatient for those who undergo joint replacement operations has been greatly reduced in recent years. However, it remains unclear whether shortening the inpatient time has affected patients’ recovery or their QOL. Design Prospective cohort study. Method In total, 101 participants who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were enrolled, with data collected preoperatively and at the 2nd and 6th weeks postoperatively. We followed the STROBE checklist to ensure the rigour of our study. Results Forty‐nine participants underwent unilateral TKA (UTKA; 48.5%), and 52 underwent simultaneous bilateral TKA (SBTKA; 51.5%). At the 2nd week postoperatively, knee joint function was significantly worse than that preoperatively. However, these patients did not exhibit significant differences in the EQ‐5D utility index (EQ‐5D UI) compared to their preoperative scores. At the 6th week postoperatively, the knee joint function and EQ‐5D UI were significantly better than preoperative values. Participants who underwent UTKA scored higher on the Oxford knee score (OKS) than did SBTKA participants. However, no significant differences were noted between the two groups for the knee flexion angle, the timed up and go (TUG) test, or the EQ‐5D UI score. Conclusions and suggestions At the postoperative 6th week, participants exhibited improved knee joint function and QOL, but there was no difference in the walking ability compared to preoperative values. At the 6th week after surgery, patients who underwent SBTKA exhibited poorer joint function than did those who underwent UTKA. Relevance to clinical practice. These results can assist nursing staffs and serve as a reference for providing patient education and nursing intervention to TKA patients.