Preoperative function and gender predict pattern of functional recovery after hip and knee arthroplasty

Gender, preoperative function, and other variables were explored as predictors of recovery after total hip and knee arthroplasty. One hundred fifty-two subjects (63.8 +/- 10.2 years) were repeatedly assessed in the first 4 postoperative months. Average recovery curves for the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, 6-minute walk test, and timed up and go test were characterized using hierarchical linear modeling. Recovery predictors were sequentially modeled after validation of the basic developmental models. Gender was a significant predictor ( P <= .003) of physical performance measure scores I week after surgery. Thereafter, men and women had similar rates of improvement. Preoperative score was a significant predictor ( P <= .001) in all models. Patients' and surgeons' expectations of outcome need to take preoperative function into account.