Functional outcome of bilateral total knee arthroplasty: A two-year prospective study

Abstract

The wider adoption of simultaneous bilateral TKA has been limited due to the reports of the associated risk of mortality and perioperative complications. The present study evaluated the safety of single-stage bilateral total knee arthroplasty, in terms of perioperative morbidity, mortality and clinical outcomes of the procedure. The two-year prospective study was conducted on 100 knees of fifty patients who visited the Department of orthopaedics of a super speciality hospital, based in India. Detailed history was collected and clinical examination of the knees was performed in all the patients. Pre-and postoperative knee scores were calculated using modified Install’s knee society scoring system. Postoperative knee society score was recorded up to 12 months of follow-up. Perioperative complications were noted in 8 subjects. Groups with and without complications were compared for various assessed variables, and the correlation between hospital stay and different demographic and clinical variables were studied by Spearman correlation. Out of the 50 subjects who underwent bilateral TKA, perioperative complications were noted in 16% of the subjects. Major complications like DVT, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction and death were not reported in any of the cases. A significant number of patients (37.5%) belonging to the complication group underwent secondary procedures. The duration of hospital stay was found to be significantly associated with comorbidities, and perioperative complications. Simultaneous bilateral TKA is a safe procedure, providing satisfactory functional outcomes. Comorbidities of the patients has been noted as the major factor contributing to increased hospital stay