Patients With Parkinson's Disease Have Poorer Function and More Flexion Contractures After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) may negatively influence the rehabilitative course after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, functional outcomes in this select group remain poorly defined. We compared complication, mortality and revision rates, as well as patient-reported outcomes, and satisfaction between patients with PD and controls after TKA.

Methods: Patients with PD who underwent primary unilateral TKA were identified and matched 1:1 with a control group using propensity scores adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, baseline range of motion, Knee Society Knee Score, Knee Society Function Score, Oxford Knee Score, and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey Mental and Physical Component Summary. Functional outcomes and patient satisfaction were assessed at 6 months and 2 years. Complications, survivorship, and all-cause mortality were analyzed.

Results: In total, 114 patients were included. Majority of PD patients had Hoehn and Yahr stage 1 or 2 disease. Overall complication rate was 26.3% in the PD group and 10.5% in the control group (P = .030). There was no difference in transfusions, length of stay, and discharge to rehabilitation or readmissions. Patients with PD had more flexion contractures, poorer Knee Society Function Score and Oxford Knee Score at 2 years, and poorer 36-item Short-Form Health Survey Physical Component Summary at 6 months. 80.4% of patients with PD were satisfied compared with 85.5% of controls (P = .476). At follow-up of 8.5 ± 2.7 years, one TKA was revised in each group. All-cause mortality was higher in the PD group (15.8% vs 5.3%, P = .067).

Conclusion: Although patients with PD had relatively poorer knee function and quality of life, these patients still experienced significant functional gains compared with their preoperative status, and high satisfaction was achieved.

Level of evidence: III.