Published Apr 28, 2014

Research Triangle Park, NC, USA - Quantitative assessment of postsurgical knee motion provides sensitive measurements, but results are technical and are not necessarily meaningful to patients. Both patients and clinicians increasingly identify that the objective of total knee replacement (TKR) is to closely approximate the feel and function of a healthy knee that has never undergone surgery. The new Patient’s Knee Implant Performance (PKIP) measure, developed with patient input, provides a standardized way to capture the patient experience regarding knee replacement specifically focusing on areas of importance to patients such as stability, motion, and confidence. Researchers from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Western Australia developed a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) to assess the phenomenon of a “normal” knee following primary total knee replacement. Results from patient focus groups indicated concepts of confidence, stability, and satisfaction in their replacement knee when performing activities requiring certain motions such as walking up/down stairs and getting up from a seated position were felt to be both distinct and important to assess. A better understanding of the relationship between patient functional performance and the underlying factors which influence it, such as stability, confidence, and necessity for activity modification (assessed by the new tool), can theoretically help discriminate improvements in product design and surgical process that are relevant to multiple stakeholders, especially patients. Dr. Seamus O'Brien, PhD, BSc, (Hons), Manager, Arthroplasty Outcomes Unit, Belfast Trust, Musgrave Park Hospital, states, “While the majority of patients who undergo TKR report improvements in pain and function following surgery, approximately 20% of patients are dissatisfied and current outcomes tools do not routinely reflect this dissatisfaction. The utility of any one particular outcome measure over another continues to be debated and the number of available instruments continues to increase, the PKIP could be a step in the right direction.’’ The full study, “Development of a Scale to Assess Performance Following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty” is published inValue in Health.

---