Abstract
Introduction: We compared the clinical results for the treatment background with the use of a biological agent after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Methods: The study followed 31 knees in 25 patients who had undergone TKA from February 2005. Patients were divided into two groups according to the baseline use of the biological agent. The biological agent group (BA group) consisted of 12 knees in 8 patients, and the non-biological agent group (nBA group) consisted of 19 knees in 17 patients. There were no significant differences in the patients’ background except for age. The period of use of the biological agent before surgery ranged from 6 to 30 months (avg. 15.2 months).
Results: Significant differences were seen on postoperative knee function score and improvement of the score between the two groups (p<0.01). No complications including deep infection were observed in either of the groups.
Conclusion: The use of a biological agent may adversely affect the clinical results after TKA in rheumatoid patients. On the other hand, no deterioration was observed with the use of the biological agent.
