Improvement in health-related quality of life after unilateral total knee arthroplasty in patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis

Purpose. To review the outcome of unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis (OA) to determine whether unilateral TKA can achieve good health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods. Records of 68 women and 25 men with severe bilateral knee OA who underwent unilateral TKA on the more symptomatic knee by a single surgeon and did not return for the second TKA within 2 years were reviewed. Outcome at 6 months and 2 years was assessed using the mental and physical component summary (MCS and PCS) of the Short Form 36 (SF-36) for HRQoL as well as the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and Knee Society Score (KSS) for knee-specific outcome. Results. The SF-36, OKS, and KSS improved significantly after unilateral TKA. Respectively for MCS and PCS of SF-36, OKS, and KSS knee and function scores, 65%, 89%, 98%, 98%, and 98% of patients reported absolute improvement at 2 years.Respectively for PCS, OKS, and KSS function score that a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was established, 77%, 96%, and 80% of patients achieved MCID at 2 years. Conclusion. Unilateral TKA achieves good outcome in HRQoL at 2 years in patients with bilateral knee OA.