The role of patient expectations in predicting outcome after total knee arthroplasty

Description: Introduction Patients' expectations are variably reported to influence self-rated outcome and satisfaction after medical treatment; this prospective study examined which of the following was the most important unique determinant of global outcome/satisfaction after total knee arthroplasty (TKA): baseline expectations; fulfilment of expectations; or current symptoms and function.
Conclusions In this group, preoperative expectations of TKA surgery were overly optimistic. The routine analysis of patient-orientated outcomes in practice should assist the surgeon to convey more realistic expectations to the patient during the pre-operative consultation. In multivariable regression, expectations did not predict global outcome/satisfaction; the most important determinants were other joint problems and the patient's pain and functional status 2 years post-operatively.
Anne F Mannion , Stephane Kampfen , Urs Munzinger and Ines Kramers-de Quervain Arthritis Research & Therapy 2009, 11:R139