ABSTRACT
One hundred and twenty-four patients with knee osteoarthritis were reviewed at three stages over a mean of 24 months (range: 9-32 months) at the time of referral by the general practitioner, by the orthopedic consultant, and before surgery. At each visit, patients were examined and the American Knee Society score and Oxford Knee Society score were obtained. The functional element of the American Knee Score deteriorated significantly from the time of referral until the time of first orthopedic consultation (P=.005) and from the time of referral to the time of surgery (P=.006). The pain element of the American Knee Society score improved from the time of referral till the time of orthopedic assessment (P=.011). The change in Oxford Knee Society score between the time the patient was put on the waiting list to the time of surgery was not statistically significant (P=.30). This article questions the emphasis on surgical waiting times instead of symptoms and physical function in determining timing of surgery.
