Effects of Total Knee Replacement on Quality of Life in 60-70 Year-Old Patients with Advanced Knee Osteoarthritis

Total knee replacement is an effective and common surgical procedure to relieve advanced knee osteoarthritis. The objective of this study was to assess quality of life after total joint replacement in 60-70 year-old patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis. This nonrandomized clinical trial included 56 patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis who were scheduled for total knee replacement. The quality of life among patients was assessed using the short form health survey (SF-36) during a one-year follow-up period. Additionally, pain score in patients was measured by a visual analogue scale (VAS). Since 3 patients died and 3 refused to participate, 50 patients were evaluated. Mean age of patients was 66.36 ± 3.21 years and 68% were female. Mean SF-36 score significantly improved after surgery compared with before surgery (53.61 ± 6.85 vs. 56.21 ± 5.71; P = 0.041). In six dimensions (physical functioning, limitations due to physical health, limitations due to emotional problems, fatigue, pain and general health), SF-36 scores significantly improved after surgery (P < 0.05). However, the improvements in two dimensions (emotional well-being and social functioning) were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Pain was also significantly reduced after surgery (P < 0.0001).. The present study showed that quality of life and pain improved after total knee replacement in patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis in a 12-month follow-up period.