Longitudinal Postoperative Course of Pain and Dysfunction Following Total Knee Arthroplasty

This study aims to described the postoperative course of TKA and examine variables associated with change in pain and functioning between 6-weeks and 6-months post-TKA.
Methods:
In this longitudinal study of 223 participants, assessments of analgesic intake, depression, anxiety, pain catastrophizing, dysfunction, resting and range of motion pain, and pain sensitivity were completed at 6-weeks post-TKA. Analgesic intake, pain ratings, and dysfunction data were also collected at 6-months post-TKA. Pain and dysfunction ratings were divided into none-mild and moderate-severe categories.
Results:
Between 6-weeks and 6-months post-TKA, 75% of the sample stayed in the same pain category, 20% improved, and 5% worsened. In terms of functional changes between 6 weeks and 6 months, 65% of the sample stayed in the same functional category, whereas 31% improved and 5% worsened.
Discussion:
These findings demonstrate that the majority of patients’ pain and functioning remains stable between 6 weeks and 6 months post-TKA. However, a notable subset continues to improve or worsen in pain and functioning and the current study identifies variables associated with these changes.

Source: The Clinical Journal of Pain - March 8, 2018 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research