A regional registry study of 216 patients investigating if patient satisfaction after total knee arthroplasty changes over a time period of five to 20 years

To determine the temporal changes in patient dissatisfaction following primary knee arthroplasty surgery (TKA).

Three hundred and ninety patients that had previously indicated they were either dissatisfied or unsure with their TKA at one-year post-surgery in our region were mailed a simple questionnaire in addition to the Oxford Knee Score and EQ-5D.

A 55% response rate was achieved. The mean follow-up time period was 9.1 years. Of the 120 patients who were initially dissatisfied, 46.7% remained so. Of the 96 patients who were initially unsure, 20.8% remained so, 21.9% and 57.3% became dissatisfied and satisfied, respectively. The primary reason for continued dissatisfaction was persistent pain. Of the 19.4% of patients who had revision surgery, 47.6% remained dissatisfied. 54.2% of patients stated that they would be happy to have a primary TKA again and 55.6% indicated that they would recommend one to a friend. Patients who had concurrent hip pain were six times more likely to remain unsure or dissatisfied over time (OR 6.7, p-value 0.0000). Patients who had back pain or contralateral knee pain were two or three times as likely to remain unsure or dissatisfied.

In time half of the patients who stated that they were not satisfied with their arthroplasty, at one year, go on to be satisfied with their knee.