Total Knee Arthroplasty: Fitness, Heart Disease Risk, and Quality of Life

Submaximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing to assess preoperative aerobic capacity in patients with knee osteoarthritis scheduled for total knee arthroplasty: a feasibility study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the feasibility of submaximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) scheduled for primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery. Secondly, to assess their preoperative aerobic capacity.

METHODS

In this observational, single-center study, participants performed a submaximal CPET 3-6 weeks before surgery. To examine their experiences, participants completed a questionnaire and one week later they were contacted by telephone. CPET was deemed feasible when five feasibility criteria were met. Aerobic capacity was evaluated by determining the oxygen uptake (VO2) at the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) and oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES). OUES values were compared with two sets of normative values.

RESULTS

All feasibility criteria were met as 14 representative participants were recruited (recruitment rate: 60.9%), and all participants were able to perform the test and reached the VAT. No adverse events occurred, and all participants were positive toward submaximal CPET. The median VO2 at the VAT was 12.8 mL/kg/min (IQR 11.3-13.6). The median OUES/kg was 23.1 (IQR 20.2-28.9), 106.4% and 109.4% of predicted.

CONCLUSION

Submaximal CPET using cycle ergometry seems feasible in patients with knee OA scheduled for TKA surgery to evaluate preoperative aerobic capacity.

Health-related quality of life among patients with knee osteoarthritis in Guangzhou, China: a multicenter cross-sectional study

PURPOSES

To investigate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in Guangzhou, China, and examine its association with selected sociodemographic characteristics as well as knee function.

METHODS

This multicenter cross-sectional study included 519 patients with KOA in Guangzhou from April 1 to December 30, 2019. Data on sociodemographic characteristics were obtained using the General Information Questionnaire. The disability was measured using the KOOS-PS, resting pain using the Pain-VAS, and HRQoL using the EQ-5D-5L. The association of selected sociodemographic factors, KOOS-PS and Pain-VAS scores with HRQoL (EQ-5D-5L utility and EQ-VAS scores) were analyzed using linear regression analyses.

RESULTS

The median (interquartile range [IQR]) of EQ-5D-5L utility and EQ-VAS scores were 0.744 (0.571-0.841) and 70 (60-80) respectively, lower than the average HRQoL in the general population. Only 3.661% of KOA patients reported no problems in all EQ-5D-5L dimensions, with Pain/Discomfort being the most frequently affected dimension (78.805%). The correlation analysis showed that the KOOS-PS score, Pain-VAS score and HRQoL were moderately or strongly correlated. Patients with cardiovascular disease, no daily exercise, and high KOOS-PS or Pain-VAS scores had lower EQ-5D-5L utility scores; and patients with body mass index (BMI) > 28 ,high KOOS-PS or Pain-VAS scores had lower EQ-VAS scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with KOA had relatively low HRQoL. Various sociodemographic characteristics as well as knee function were associated with HRQoL in regression analyses. Providing social support and improving their knee function through methods such as total knee arthroplasty might be crucial to improve their HRQoL.

The dynamic impact of Joint Awareness on Quality of Life after Total Knee Arthroplasty: a longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Joint Awareness is thought to be closely linked to Quality of Life (QoL) for patients undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA), yet to date there have been no longitudinal studies to explore how Joint Awareness actually affects QoL. The purpose of this study was therefore to examine the development of Joint Awareness and QoL after TKA as well as the dynamic impact of Joint Awareness on QoL.

METHODS

A total of 342 patients were followed up at 3 months (T1), 6 months (T2), and 12 months (T3) after TKA. Joint Awareness was evaluated using the Forgotten Joint Score-12 (FJS-12), and QoL was measured by SF-36. We used repeated measures analysis of variance to estimate the development of Joint Awareness and QoL and employed a cross-lagged model to examine the dynamic relationship between Joint Awareness and QoL.

RESULTS

Both Joint Awareness and QoL improved with postoperative time (p < 0.001). Importantly, T1 Joint Awareness positively predicted T2 physical QoL (p < 0.001), and T2 Joint Awareness positively predicted T3 physical QoL (p < 0.001). Nevertheless, Joint Awareness had no predictive effect on mental QoL (p = 0.082-0.931).

CONCLUSIONS

In different periods after TKA, Joint Awareness and QoL both increased monotonically, and Joint Awareness positively predicted physical QoL. These findings indicate that focusing on Joint Awareness may be a priority when trying to improve the postoperative life of patients.

Positive effect of total knee arthroplasty on progression of arteriosclerosis evaluated by cardio-ankle vascular index

INTRODUCTION

Physical function is expected to improve with an increase in physical activity owing to improvement in knee joint pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study was performed to evaluate the impact of TKA on arteriosclerosis by measuring the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) before and after surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In total, 206 consecutive patients undergoing unilateral TKA were investigated. The CAVI, an index of the overall stiffness of the artery from the origin of the aorta to the ankle, was used to evaluate the degree of arteriosclerosis. The CAVI of the TKA side and non-TKA side was compared before and 1 year after TKA.

RESULTS

There were no differences in the CAVI before and after TKA on the TKA side and non-TKA side, although these values should have worsened at 1 year compared with preoperative values. The CAVI, which did not differ between the two sides preoperatively, differed significantly between the two sides postoperatively (p = 0.013). A generalized linear model showed no interaction between each time point and the measured sides in terms of the CAVI. The relationship between the preoperative CAVI and the difference between the preoperative and postoperative CAVI were examined, showing that R =  - 0.428 (p < 0.001) for the TKA side and R =  - 0.416 (p < 0.001) for the non-TKA side (significant negative correlation).

CONCLUSIONS

The lack of significant age-related deterioration over time on both sides suggests that TKA may slow the progression of arteriosclerosis, especially on the operated side. The effect of TKA was found to be greater with a higher CAVI (i.e., more advanced arteriosclerosis).

Patient-Reported Quality of Life Before and After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Multicenter Observational Study

PURPOSE

To compare patients' self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) before and after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and determine factors contributing to any heterogeneity in HRQoL.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This prospective multicenter observational study included 404 patients with knee osteoarthritis who underwent TKA between April 1, 2019 and December 30, 2019 and whose HRQoL was assessed preoperatively and 7 days and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Sociodemographic characteristics were assessed using a General Information Questionnaire, disability using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS-PS), resting pain using the visual analogue scale (Pain-VAS), and HRQoL using the European Quality of Life Five Dimension Five Level (EQ-5D-5L) scale. The growth mixture model was used to identify group heterogeneity in the developmental trajectories of KOOS-PS, Pain-VAS, and EQ5D5L. Logistic regression was used to explore the factors influencing the developmental trajectories of factors affecting the developmental trajectory of HRQoL.

RESULTS

The mean EQ-5D-5L score improved from 0.69 preoperatively to 0.90 at 6 months postoperatively. Longitudinal heterogeneity in HRQoL was observed in patients during recovery: 1) patients with a small and slow improvement in HRQoL and 2) patients who showed marked and rapid improvement in HRQoL. The main characteristics of the latter group were decreasing VAS pain scores, a monthly family income >2000 CNY (100 CNY equals approximately 14.9 USD), exercising for <30 min daily, and better knee function at baseline. Baseline knee function and change in knee function were significantly associated with the percentage change in HRQoL.

CONCLUSION

HRQoL improved considerably after TKA. However, there was heterogeneity in the changes in HRQoL depending on patients' socioeconomic status, exercise, and baseline knee function. Dynamic tracking of the HRQoL of TKA patients and timely provision of rehabilitation guidance will promote continuous improvement of the HRQoL of TKA patients.

Amount and type of physical activity and sports from one year forward after hip or knee arthroplasty-A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

After rehabilitation following total hip or knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA), patients are advised to participate in physical activity (PA) and sports. However, profound insight into whether people adopt a physically active lifestyle is lacking. Aim is to gain insight into the performed amount and type of PA (including sports) and time spent sedentarily by persons after THA/TKA.

METHODS

A systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD42020178556). Pubmed, Cinahl, EMBASE and PsycInfo were systematically searched for articles reporting on amount of PA, and on the kind of activities performed between January 1995-January 2021. Quality of the articles was assessed with the adapted tool from Borghouts et al.

RESULTS

The search retrieved 5029 articles, leading to inclusion of 125 articles reporting data of 123 groups; 53 articles reported on subjects post-THA, 16 on post-hip-resurfacing arthroplasty, 40 on post-TKA, 15 on post-unicompartimental knee arthroplasty and 12 on a mix of arthroplasty types. With respect to quality assessment, 14 articles (11%) met three or fewer criteria, 29 (24%) met four, 32 (26%) met five, 42 (34%) met six, and 6 (5%) met seven out of the eight criteria. PA levels were comparable for THA and TKA, showing a low to moderately active population. Time spent was mostly of low intensity. Roughly 50% of -subjects met health-enhancing PA guidelines. They spent the largest part of their day sedentarily. Sports participation was relatively high (rates above 70%). Most participation was in low-impact sports at a recreational level. Roughly speaking, participants were engaged in sports 3 hours/week, consisting of about three 1-hour sessions.

CONCLUSION

Activity levels seem to be low; less than half of them seemed to perform the advised amount of PA following health-enhancing guidelines Sports participation levels were high. However, many articles were unclear about the definition of sports participation, which could have led to overestimation.

Objectively Measured Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior and Functional Performance before and after Lower Limb Joint Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Patients after joint arthroplasty tend to be less physically active; however, studies measuring objective physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) in these patients provide conflicting results. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess objectively measured PA, SB and performance at periods up to and greater than 12 months after lower limb arthroplasty. Two electronic databases (PubMed and Medline) were searched to identify prospective and cross-sectional studies from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2020. Studies including objectively measured SB, PA or specific performance tests in patients with knee or hip arthroplasty, were included in the analyses both pre- and post-operatively. The risk of bias was assessed using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). After identification and exclusion, 35 studies were included. The data were analyzed using the inverse variance method with the random effects model and expressed as standardized mean difference and corresponding 95% confidence intervals. In total, we assessed 1943 subjects with a mean age of 64.9 (±5.85). Less than 3 months post-operative, studies showed no differences in PA, SB and performance. At 3 months post-operation, there was a significant increase in the 6 min walk test (6MWT) (SMD 0.65; CI: 0.48, 0.82). After 6 months, changes in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (SMD 0.33; CI: 0.20, 0.46) and the number of steps (SMD 0.45; CI: 0.34, 0.54) with a large decrease in the timed-up-and-go test (SMD −0.61; CI: −0.94, −0.28) and increase in the 6MWT (SMD 0.62; CI: 0.26–0.98) were observed. Finally, a large increase in MVPA (SMD 0.70; CI: 0.53–0.87) and a moderate increase in step count (SMD 0.52; CI: 0.36, 0.69) were observed after 12 months. The comparison between patients and healthy individuals pre-operatively showed a very large difference in the number of steps (SMD −1.02; CI: −1.42, −0.62), but not at 12 months (SMD −0.75; −1.89, 0.38). Three to six months after knee or hip arthroplasty, functional performance already exceeded pre-operative levels, yet PA levels from this time period remained the same. Although PA and functional performance seemed to fully restore and exceed the pre-operation levels at six to nine months, SB did not. Moreover, PA remained lower compared to healthy individuals even longer than twelve months post-operation. Novel rehabilitation protocols and studies should focus on the effects of long-term behavioral changes (increasing PA and reducing SB) as soon as functional performance is restored.

Superior Mid- to Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Mobile-Bearing Total Knee Arthroplasty Compared to Fixed-Bearing: A Meta-Analysis Based on a Minimum of 5 Years of Study

As more patients undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA) each year, and the average age of patients gets younger, the patients are generally more active requiring a greater physiological demand and increasing range of motion on the prosthesis than the previous patients. However, there is no consensus on the optimal TKA tibial bearing design. We performed this systematic review to compare the clinical differences between mobile and fixed bearing constructs used in contemporary TKA. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases, identifying 515 total publications, including 17 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A meta-analysis was performed, while the quality and bias of the evidence were rated according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) guidelines and the Cochrane Database questionnaire. The meta-analysis was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Seventeen studies were included, with a total of 1505 knees receiving a mobile bearing TKA and 1550 knees receiving a fixed bearing TKA. The meta-analysis compared clinical outcomes between mobile bearing (MB)-TKA and fixed bearing (FB)-TKA using postoperative Knee Society Score, postoperative ROM, and survivorship and showed that there was a distinct difference in Knee Society Score between the mobile-bearing and fixed-bearing groups (overall standardized mean difference = 1.38; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.50-2.25; p = 0.002; I² = 60%). Patients treated with mobile-bearing prostheses were more likely to report good or excellent range of motion results (overall standardized mean difference = 2.06; 95% CI: 0.65-3.47; p = 0.004). No difference in implant survivorship or reoperation rate were identified. The fixed-bearing and mobile-bearing TKA designs are both capable of producing excellent long-term results with excellent clinical outcomes if properly implanted; however, the mobile-bearing TKA have superiority in mid- to long-term clinical results. Trial registration number for PROSPERO was CRD42019126402.