Recent studies have assessed patients after hip, ankle and knee replacement surgery to determine overall quality-of-life post-surgery. Research has found those patients undergoing hip replacements fare better.
Here are 10 facts to note about hip, knee and ankle replacement surgeries:
1. Research findings were revealed at the 16th European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology Congress.
2. Frédéric Dalat, MD, and his colleagues conducted a study that analyzed a series of 60 total ankle arthoplasties that were performed from 2006 to 2011.
3. The series was then matched for mean operative age and average follow-up with a series of 132 total hip arthoplasties and a series of 60 total knee arthoplasties.
4. Dr. Dalat's study used three nonspecific questions the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), WOMAC, and Bonnin's Sports Questionnaire — in order to assess patients.
5. Researchers used the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score, the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure, the International Knee Society score and the Harris Hip Score to determine the recovery for specific joints.
6. Dr. Dalat claims no comparative studies have analyzed functional scores, quality of life or sport activities.
7. The majority of patients claimed to be satisfied or very satisfied with patients in the ankle group performing more than three different sports activities.
8. Studies showed 90 percent of patients stated they were satisfied after hip replacement with only 76 percent of patients claiming to be satisfied after ankle replacement.
9. Many patients primarily hope to return to sports after hip, knee or ankle replacement surgery.
10. Although quality-of-life was found to have equal scores in hip, knee and joint replacement patients, knee patients were the least likely to be able to perform in sports activities post-surgery.
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