Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the treatment of choice for end-stage osteoarthritis though its risk-benefit ratio in elderly patients remains debated. This study aimed to evaluate the functional outcome, rates of complication and mortality, and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) in patients who exceeded their estimated life expectancy.
Ninety-seven TKA implanted in 86 patients who exceeded their estimated life expectancy at the time of TKA were prospectively included in our institutional joint registry and retrospectively analyzed. At latest follow-up, the functional outcome with the Knee Society Score (KSS), rates of complication and mortality, and QALY with utility value of EuroQol-5D score were evaluated.
At a mean follow-up of three ± one years, the pre- to post-operative KSS improved significantly (p < 0.01). The rates of surgical and major medical complications related to TKA were 3% and 10%, respectively. The re-operation rate with readmission was 3% while no TKA was revised. The 30-day and one year mortality was 1% and 3%, respectively. The pre- to one year post-operative QALY improved significantly (p < 0.01). The cumulative QALY five years after TKA was four years. Assuming that these patients did not undergo TKA, their cumulative QALY at five years would have been only two years.
TKA is an effective procedure for the treatment of end-stage osteoarthritis in patients who exceeded their estimated life expectancy. TKA provided significant improvement in function and quality of life without adversely affecting overall morbidity and mortality. Therefore, TKA should not be contra-indicated in elderly patients based on their advanced age alone.