Quality of life before and after total knee replacement

Objective: To assess the improvement in quality of life after Total knee replacement (TKR) at one, three and six months after surgery. Methodology: In this observational study, all the patients who were on the waiting list for TKR at Shaukat Khanum Hospital, Lahore, were contacted for information about the issues and problems in their quality of life (Qol). Change in Qol was assessed after 1, 3 & 6 months after TKR. SF-36 questionnaire was used to evaluate Qol. A Rand criterion was used to recode the responses of patients and eight main domains were calculated according to Psychometric properties of the questionnaire used. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Mean age of male and female patients was 63.66 +/- 6.56 and 64.75 +/- 6.60 years, respectively. Both mental health & physical component scores increased with the progression of time. Mean score for Physical health component at 6 months increased from 20.18 to 91.12 +/- 6.27 and mental health component score increased from 28.25 to 81.21 +/- 7.48, respectively. Conclusion: For the first 6 months post operatively, TKR resulted in a continuous improvement of quality of life of the patients.