Quality of life before and after total knee arthroplasty in clinical settings across Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Knee osteoarthritis is a common disabling condition that affects a larger number of populations aged above 40 years and this habitually required knee arthroplasty to reinstate leg function, to improve the pain as well as to improve stability. The main objective of this study was to determine the health-related quality of lifestyle before and after total knee arthroplasty. This study was a cross-sectional observational study conducted at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, HorizonHospital and Mayo Hospital, Lahore-Pakistan. In this study, 100 subjects were selected who were scheduled for Total Knee Replacement (TKR) due to advanced stages of knee osteoarthritis. Informed consent was taken from all selected patients. Selected subjects meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled for this study. Subjects with any red flag signs or systemic illness were excluded. A baseline measurement was taken by using visual-analog scale (VAS) for pain, the Short Form 36 (SF-36) for health-related quality of life and The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for disability. Measurements using these scales were repeated after 1, 3 and 6 months after knee arthroplasty. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used to determine statistically significant changes in VAS, SF 36 and WOMAC Score across 06 months. A significant (p<0.05) improvement in health-related quality of life measured of two subscales of SF 36 (Physical Health Component and Mental Health Component) when before surgery readings were compared with that of after 06 months of surgery. Similarly, there was also significant (p<0.05) reduction in pain measured on VAS as well as reduced WOMAC score before and after 06 months of surgery. It could be concluded that TKA results in the improvementof the quality of life and reduced pain following total knee arthroplasty.