Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcome of inpatient rehabilitation following total knee arthroplasty using the HSS score (Hospital for Special Surgery). Factors influencing the result were analysed.
Method: 182 patients admitted to a rehabilitation unit after total knee replacement were included. There were 146 female and 36 male patients, with mean age of 72 (+/- 6.1) years (range; 49 to 84 years).
Results: At admission, the HSS score was 47.4 (+/- 10.6) and was significantly improved to 69.8 (+/- 8.8) at discharge. The percentage of patients with a poor result was markedly decreased from 86.8 % to 10.4 %. The outcome was independent of sex, age, concomitant diseases or postoperative weight bearing. 34 patients could not be discharged after 3 weeks as usually and stayed for another 8.3 (+/- 2.6) days. These patients had significantly lower scores at admission (41.9 +/- 11.2) than patients who stayed for three weeks (48.6+/- 10.1). At discharge, scores were comparable with 67.7 (+/- 9.4) and 70.2 (+/- 8.6), respectively.
Conclusion: Inpatient rehabilitation following knee arthroplasty significantly improved the HSS score independent of sex, age, concomitant diseases and weight bearing.