Can We Quantify Functional Improvement Following Total Knee Arthroplasty in the Clinical Setting?

The purpose of this study was to determine if improvements in knee function after arthroplasty could be practicably measured in the clinical setting using available, validated technology. The tools we assessed included a timed test of common activities, a platform posturography analysis, and a portable gait laboratory device to quantify body segment motion. We measured the function of 25 total knee arthroplasty patients before surgery and at 1, 4, 12, and 24 months after surgery.

A prospective randomized study of bicompartmental vs. total knee arthroplasty with functional testing and short term outcome.

The purpose of this study was to compare 50 bicompartmental knee arthroplasty (BKA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) cases, particularly in restoring knee function. Patients were between 30 and 65 years old, with a BMI under 35, and had osteoarthritis in the medial and patellofemoral compartments. Knee Society scores, Oxford questionnaires, radiographs, and functional tests were performed preoperatively, and at 1, 4, 12, and 24 months postoperatively.