Three Out of Ten Working Patients Expect No Clinical Improvement of Their Ability to Perform Work-Related Knee-Demanding Activities After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Multicenter Study

Yvonne van Zaanen, Rutger C I van Geenen, Thijs M J Pahlplatz, Arthur J Kievit, Marco J M Hoozemans, Eric W P Bakker, Leendert Blankevoort, Matthias U Schafroth, Daniel Haverkamp, Ton M J S Vervest, Dirk H P W Das, Walter van der Weegen, Vanessa A Scholtes, Monique H W Frings-Dresen, P Paul F M Kuijer

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13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose Three out of ten patients do not return to work after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Patient expectations are suggested to play a key role. What are patients' expectations regarding the ability to perform work-related knee-demanding activities 6 months after TKA compared to their preoperative status? Methods A multi-center cross-sectional study was performed among 292 working patients listed for TKA. The Work Osteoarthritis or joint-Replacement Questionnaire (WORQ, range 0-100, minimal important difference 13) was used to assess the preoperatively experienced and expected ability to perform work-related knee-demanding activities 6 months postoperatively. Differences between the preoperative and expected WORQ scores were tested and the most difficult knee-demanding work-related activities were described. Results Two hundred thirty-six working patients (81%) completed the questionnaire. Patients' expected WORQ score (Median = 75, IQR 60-86) was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than their preoperative WORQ score (Median = 44, IQR 35-56). A clinical improvement in ability to perform work-related knee-demanding activities was expected by 72% of the patients, while 28% of the patients expected no clinical improvement or even worse ability to perform work-related knee-demanding activities 6 months after TKA. Of the patients, 34% expected severe difficulty in kneeling, 30% in crouching and 17% in clambering 6 months after TKA. Conclusions Most patients have high expectations, especially regarding activities involving deep knee flexion. Remarkably, three out of ten patients expect no clinical improvement or even a worse ability to perform work-related knee-demanding activities 6 months postoperatively compared to their preoperative status. Therefore, addressing patients expectations seems useful in order to assure realistic expectations regarding work activities.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)585-594
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Occupational Rehabilitation
Volume29
Issue number3
Early online date11 Dec 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Sept 2019

Keywords

  • Knee arthroplasty, total
  • Patient expectations
  • Treatment outcome
  • Vocational rehabilitation
  • Work ability

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