Level 1. Diagnostic study.

Aims Meeting preoperative expectations is known to be of major influence on postoperative satisfaction after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Improved management of expectation, resulting in more realistic expectations can potentially lead to higher postoperative satisfaction. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of an additional preoperative education module, addressing realistic expectations for long-term functional recovery, on postoperative satisfaction and expectation fulfilment. Methods In total, 204 primary TKA patients with osteoarthritis were enrolled in this randomized controlled trial (RCT). Patients were allocated to either usual preoperative education (control group) or usual education plus an additional module on realistic expectations (intervention group). Primary outcome was being very satisfied (numerical rating scale for satisfaction ≥ 8) with the treatment result at 12 months' follow-up. Other outcomes were change in preoperative expectations and postoperative expectation fulfilment. Results A total of 187 patients (91.7%) were available for analysis at follow-up. In the intention-to-treat analysis, 58.5% (55/94) of patients were very satisfied with the treatment result in the control group, and 69.9% (65/93) of patients in the intervention group (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.90 to 3.29). A per-protocol analysis for patients who attended the education session (92.0%, n = 172) showed that 56.9% (49/86) of patients were very satisfied in the control group and 74.4% (61/86) in the intervention group (AOR 2.44, 95% CI 1.21 to 4.91). After preoperative education, the expectation scores in the intervention group were significantly lower (mean difference -6.9 (95% CI -10.2 to -3.6)) and did not alter in the control group (mean difference 0.5 (95% CI -2.9 to 3.9)). Overall, fulfilment of expectations at 12 months was significantly higher in the intervention group (mean difference 11.4% (95% CI 2.3 to 20.5)). Conclusion Improved preoperative patient education can modify patient expectations, resulting in higher postoperative fulfilment of expectation and higher satisfaction in the group that attended the preoperative education. This is the first RCT to confirm the potential of improved expectation management on satisfaction after TKA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(4):619–626.

Unfulfilled preoperative expectations have a strong influence on the outcome after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). More insight into determinants of the level of expectations is useful in identifying patients at risk for having expectations of the treatment result that are too high or too low. This information can be used in optimizing preoperative expectation management. The aim of the current study was to analyze to what extent preoperative outcome expectations of TKA patients are affected by psychological factors, demographic factors, pain, physical function, and general health status. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 204 patients with symptomatic and radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA), scheduled for primary TKA. Outcome expectations were measured using the hospital for special surgery knee replacement expectations survey. Independent variables included were age, sex, body mass index, and patient-reported outcome measures for pain, physical function, quality of life, anxiety, depression, catastrophizing, optimism, and pessimism. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate associations between these variables and preoperative outcome expectations. Female sex, higher age, higher depression score, and duration of complaints > 50 months showed to be significant predictors of lower expectations for the treatment outcome after TKA. Baseline pain and function scores were not related to the level of preoperative expectations. The present study aids in identifying patients at risk for having either too high or too low expectations. This knowledge can be utilized in individualized expectation management interventions.

The TBRT returned to baseline two weeks after a right-sided THA and four weeks after a right-sided TKA. These results may serve as guidelines for orthopaedic surgeons when advising patients when to resume driving. However, the advice should be individualised. Cite this article: 2017;99-B:566-76.

Background: One of the main determinants of treatment satisfaction after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the fulfillment of preoperative expectations. For optimal expectation management, it is useful to accurately predict the treatment result. Multiple patient factors registered in the Dutch Arthroplasty Register (LROI) can potentially be utilized to estimate the most likely treatment result. The aim of the present study is to create and validate models that predict residual symptoms for patients undergoing primary TKA for knee osteoarthritis. Methods: Data were extracted from the LROI of all TKA patients who had preoperative and postoperative patient-reported outcome measures registered. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to construct predictive algorithms for satisfaction, treatment success, and residual symptoms concerning pain at rest and during activity, sit-to-stand movement, stair negotiation, walking, performance of activities of daily living, kneeling, and squatting. We assessed predictive performance by examining measures of calibration and discrimination. Results: Data of 7071 patients could be included for data analysis. Residual complaints on kneeling (female 72%/male 59%) and squatting (female 71%/male 56%) were reported most frequently, and least residual complaints were scored for walking (female 16%/male 12%) and pain at rest (female 18%/male 14%). The predictive algorithms were presented as clinical calculators that present the probability of residual symptoms for an individual patient. The models for residual symptoms concerning sit-to-stand movement, stair negotiation, walking, activities of daily living, and treatment success showed acceptable discriminative values (area under the curve 0.68-0.74). The algorithms for residual complaints regarding kneeling, squatting, pain, and satisfaction showed less favorable results (area under the curve 0.58-0.64). The calibration curves showed adequate calibration for most of the models. Conclusion: A considerable proportion of patients have residual complaints after TKA. The present study showed that demographic and patient-reported outcome measure data collected in the LROI can be used to predict the probability of residual symptoms after TKA. The models developed in the present study predict the chance of residual symptoms for an individual patient on 10 specific items concerning treatment success, functional outcome, and pain relief. This prediction can be useful for individualized expectation management in patients planned for TKA.