Perioperative Changes in Proprioception after Total Knee Arthroplasty and Identification of Factors Affecting it

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the longitudinal perioperative change in knee proprioception after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to identify factors affecting it. Thirty knees of patients with TKA for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis were prospectively analyzed. Preoperative score of knee proprioception averaged 19.0 (± 3.9). Mean score of knee proprioception was 6.2 (± 3.0) three weeks after the operation (p<0.01) and recovered with time, reaching a score comparable to the preoperative one three months after surgery (18.1 ± 4.1). Factors affecting the decrease in the score three weeks after surgery included age at time of operation, preoperative JOA knee score, BMI, perioperative blood loss, operating time, and length of skin incision. Maintaining and improving preoperative daily activity of the patients seems to be important for quick postoperative recovery of proprioception after TKA, when preoperative rehabilitation could effectively intervene.