Physical activity, pain interference and comorbidities relate to PROMIS physical function in younger adults following total knee arthroplasty

Abstract

Younger adults with greater comorbidities, lower physical activity level and higher pain interference scores preoperatively reported poorer functional recovery one year post-total knee arthroplasty. Understanding how preoperative status of younger adults undergoing total knee arthroplasty may lead to better improved surgical decision making and health care delivery for this vulnerable and growing patient subgroup.Implications for RehabilitationProjections estimate total knee arthroplasty in relatively younger adults (<65 years) will make up the majority of surgical procedures performed in the United States within the next two decades, however little is known in this patient population.This study provides evidence that relatively younger adults with greater comorbidities, lower physical activity level and higher pain interference scores preoperatively result in poorer functional recovery one year post-total knee arthroplasty.The results also suggest greater comorbidities identified preoperatively have the largest influence on one year satisfaction scores in younger adults post-total knee arthroplasty.Modifiable characteristics such as improving physical activity level, incorporating pain management strategies and reducing comorbidities preoperatively or adopting into postoperative rehabilitative care may influence the postoperative physical function and satisfaction scores in relatively younger adults undergoing total knee arthroplasty.