Balance sheets of knee and functional scores 5 years after total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis: a source for patient information.

To improve patient information on the results of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for osteoarthritis, 253 primary TKAs of a prospective study with a mean follow-up of 5.3 years were analyzed. The increase or decrease of the individual variables of the Knee Society knee and function score and the percentage of operated knees in which these variables increased were determined. Improvement in pain rating had the largest increase of all variables, contributing 60% to the knee score increase. Pain improved in 95% of the knees. Alignment improved in about 90% of knees and accounted for 25% of knee score increase. Improvement in level walking contributed more to increase of function score than better stair-climbing abilities. Level walking improved in 80% of knees and stair climbing in 55%. Pain is the most rewarding indication for TKA, followed by deformity and poor walking ability. Key words: total knee arthroplasty, knee score, functional score, patient information.