Health-Related Quality of Life and Outcome after Total Knee Replacement: Results from a Cross-Sectional Survey in Jordan

Authors: Yazan AI Thaher et al. (2022)

Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8763549/

Background Information:

Total knee replacement (TKR) is a common, cost-effective surgery used to relieve chronic knee pain and restore mobility in people with severe arthritis. It’s known to work well, yet the degree to which it improves people’s quality of life (QoL) — including physical, emotional, and social well-being — varies. Understanding how TKR impacts these life areas helps doctors improve care and set realistic expectations for patients.

Purpose of the Study:

This study aimed to assess how TKR affects health-related quality of life in real-world patients in Jordan. The researchers sought to determine how QoL changes from 3 to 12 months after surgery and what factors like age, gender, or other demographics might influence outcomes. Their goal was to identify predictors of better recovery and overall patient satisfaction.

Methods and Data Analysis:

Between January 2020 and January 2021, 118 patients who had received TKR were surveyed once, 3 to 12 months post-surgery. They completed two validated questionnaires: WOMAC (evaluating pain, stiffness, and physical function) and SF-36 (measuring overall health and quality of life). The analysis compared scores across different time periods and looked for patterns based on gender, age, and other demographic factors to determine which were most strongly linked to QoL improvements.

Key Findings and Conclusions:

The study found that most health improvements—especially in pain and daily activities—became notable around 6–12 months after surgery. Overall quality of life improved significantly in nearly all patients. However, age and gender emerged as important predictors: younger patients and males tended to experience slightly greater gains in QoL. The findings reinforce that TKR reliably improves well-being, though the timing and extent of recovery can differ between individuals.

Applications & Limitations:

These results support TKR as an effective way to restore function and quality of life in most patients. Clinicians can use this information to inform patients that major improvements typically emerge by the six-month mark—and that younger, male patients may see slightly greater benefits. However, the study has some limitations: it’s cross-sectional (only surveyed patients once), based on a relatively small sample in Jordan, and doesn’t track changes over time in the same individuals. Future studies following patients before and after surgery, with larger and more diverse populations, would help confirm these findings and identify other influential factors.