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The effects of total knee arthroplasty on physical functioning in the older population.

Publication ,  Journal Article
George, LK; Ruiz, D; Sloan, FA
Published in: Arthritis Rheum
October 2008

OBJECTIVE: Clinical research provides convincing evidence that total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is safe and improves joint-specific outcomes. However, higher-level functioning associated with self care and independent living has not been studied. Furthermore, most previous studies of the effects of TKA relied on relatively small clinical samples. We undertook this study to estimate the effects of TKA on 3 levels of physical functioning in a national sample of older adults. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey from 1992 to 2003. Medicare claims data identified participants with osteoarthritis of the knee who received TKA (n=259) or no TKA (n=1,816). Propensity scores were used to match treatment and no-treatment groups according to demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, and baseline functioning. Three levels of physical functioning were examined as outcomes of TKA. These levels were represented by items on the Nagi Disability Scale, the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Scale, and the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Scale. These items were measured after TKA and at comparable intervals for the no-treatment group. Average treatment effects were calculated for relevant Nagi Disability Scale, IADL Scale, and ADL Scale tasks. RESULTS: Between baseline and outcome assessments, TKA recipients improved on all 3 levels of physical functioning; the no-treatment group declined. Statistically significant average treatment effects for TKA were observed for one or more tasks for each measure of physical functioning. CONCLUSION: TKA is associated with sizeable improvements in 3 levels of physical functioning among elderly Medicare beneficiaries.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Arthritis Rheum

DOI

ISSN

0004-3591

Publication Date

October 2008

Volume

58

Issue

10

Start / End Page

3166 / 3171

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Osteoarthritis, Knee
  • Mobility Limitation
  • Middle Aged
  • Medicare
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Case-Control Studies
 

Citation

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George, L. K., Ruiz, D., & Sloan, F. A. (2008). The effects of total knee arthroplasty on physical functioning in the older population. Arthritis Rheum, 58(10), 3166–3171. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.23888
George, Linda K., David Ruiz, and Frank A. Sloan. “The effects of total knee arthroplasty on physical functioning in the older population.Arthritis Rheum 58, no. 10 (October 2008): 3166–71. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.23888.
George LK, Ruiz D, Sloan FA. The effects of total knee arthroplasty on physical functioning in the older population. Arthritis Rheum. 2008 Oct;58(10):3166–71.
George, Linda K., et al. “The effects of total knee arthroplasty on physical functioning in the older population.Arthritis Rheum, vol. 58, no. 10, Oct. 2008, pp. 3166–71. Pubmed, doi:10.1002/art.23888.
George LK, Ruiz D, Sloan FA. The effects of total knee arthroplasty on physical functioning in the older population. Arthritis Rheum. 2008 Oct;58(10):3166–3171.
Journal cover image

Published In

Arthritis Rheum

DOI

ISSN

0004-3591

Publication Date

October 2008

Volume

58

Issue

10

Start / End Page

3166 / 3171

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Osteoarthritis, Knee
  • Mobility Limitation
  • Middle Aged
  • Medicare
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Case-Control Studies