Abstract
Background The subjective evaluation of the patient’s state of health with the help of Patient-reported
Outcome Measurements (PROMs) provides valuable information for assessing the
treatment outcome and for treatment planning. However, the use of PROMs in the field
of arthroplasty is not mandatory, so that there is a lack of standardised recording
and interpretation.
The present study aims to identify patients, who have not achieved the intended treatment
goals with regard to pain, function and quality of life after total knee arthroplasty,
more easily
in the future on the basis of postoperative PROMs.
Material and Methods Data collection (for 3-month postoperative follow-up) included a standardised clinical
follow-up (NU) and a questionnaire of different PROMs (Oxford Knee Score
[OKS], OKS Pain Score [OKSS] and EndoCert Risk Score [ERS]). During the specialist
follow-up examination, it was decided whether further medical therapy had to be initiated.
Accordingly,
patients were grouped into four post-treatment categories (NU not required/further
diagnostics/new prescription/revision required).
Results For individual scores and questions, there were significant differences between the
respective groups of consequences resulting from the follow-up examination. The OKS,
OKS
Pain Score and the ERS are suitable for detecting thresholds to determine the need
for a follow-up examination. The postoperative thresholds of the scores are 24 for
the OKS total score, 52
for the OKS pain score and 4 for the ERS pain intensity score.
Conclusion In the initial three months after knee arthroplasty, certain PROMs are suitable for
identifying patients for whom further diagnostics and therapy are indicated. In
particular, the OKS and the pain intensity score of the ERS are suitable for detecting
a potentially unfavourable development in rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty.
Keywords total knee arthroplasty - EndoCert - follow-up study - Oxford Knee Score - Euroquol-5D