The purpose of this study is to determine predictors of functional outcome following revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for patients who previously had a total knee replacement for arthritis. The rate of total knee replacements increased by 52% from 1993 to 1999 and rates continue to rise. As these prostheses fail revision is required with current revision rates estimated between 8 and 11% world-wide. Rising revision TKA rates make it an increasingly important healthcare issue. This study evaluates how factors such as pre-surgery disability, general health status, the classification of revision, comorbidity, previous experience with surgery, outcome expectations and demographic variables affect physical disability two years and five years following revision TKA. Evaluation of physical disability is a neglected topic in the revision TKA literature. Identification of predictive factors that can be modified may result in improved outcomes, thereby promoting optimal care for patients with arthritis. The results of this study will have implications for determining indications for revision TKA, resource allocation and policy for treatment of these patients.
This project is funded from October 2005 to September 2010 by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
ACREU Investigator: Dr. Aileen Davis
