A comparative study of total knee arthroplasty outcome for stiff knee with or without sequential antirheumatic drug treatment

Abstract

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of antirheumatic drug treatment on knee function of stiff knee patients after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods Twenty-seven patients (44 knees) of active RA (rheumatoid arthritis) or AS (ankylosing spondylitis) with stiff knees were included in this study. And they were divided into two groups according to continue antirheumatic drug treatment or not after TKA: the therapeutic group (16 patients, 27 knees) and the controlled group (11 patients, 17 knees). The outcomes were assessed by Knee Society Score (KSS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), range of motion (ROM) (at week 6, month 6, year 1, and year 2), “Forgotten Joint” Scale (FJS), with or without crutch, satisfaction, and revision (at year 2). The knee prosthetic loosening was evaluated by the followed X-ray at each following time. Results The mean follow-up time was 51 months (34–69 months). The KSS was higher at week 6 after TKA in the therapeutic group (p 0.05). Conclusion For patients with stiff knees, the sequential antirheumatic drug treatment after TKA had no obvious effect on postoperative KSS, but can improve the satisfaction. Level of evidence Therapeutic level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Keywords

• Stiff knee
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Total knee arthroplasty
• Sequential antirheumatic drug treatment