Post-operative outcomes among knee osteoarthritis patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty

Background and objectives

Simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (SBTKA) can improve post-surgical outcomes and reduce complications and cost of care. This study aimed to compare: (a) pain intensity levels in patients undergoing SBTKA between and before discharge, and 6 weeks after surgery, and (b) activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life between the pre-operative period and 6 weeks after surgery.

Material and methods

Forty patients who were scheduled for SBTKA at inpatient units in a university-affiliated hospital in Bangkok, Thailand were recruited on the first day of admission using the face-to-face method. The research instruments included a demographic questionnaire, the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and the Knee and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS): ADL, and knee-related quality of life subscales. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-test, and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test.

Results

The results showed that the pain intensity level at six weeks after surgery was statistically significantly reduced when comparing the pre-discharge from the hospital (p = 0.000). Patients had improvements in their ADL (p = 0.000) and their quality of life (p = 0.000) at six weeks after surgery compared to before surgery.

Conclusions

Patients who underwent SBTKA had clinical improvement in terms of pain intensity reduction and enhancement of their ADL and quality of life.