A Prospective, Longitudinal Study of Patient Satisfaction Following Total Knee Arthroplasty Using the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) Survey Stratified by Various Demographic and Comorbid Factors

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the longitudinal variations in SF-36 physical and mental scores and the effects of demographics and comorbidities after TKA. This prospective study evaluated 108 men and 173 women who had a mean age of 66 years. All patients were followed for a minimum of five years and SF-36 physical and mental component scores were evaluated longitudinally. Physical scores steadily increased during the first year whereas mental component scores initially decreased in the first six weeks and then subsequently increased and both plateaued at one year. Demographic and social factors had a greater effect on physical component scores and comorbidities were more predictive of poor mental scores. Surgeons should counsel their patients that they will likely perceive the full benefit of TKA by one year, but in the first months may perceive worse outcomes.