QUALITY OF LIFE IN OSTEOARTHRITIS KNEE UNDERGOING TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY, SURANAREE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY HOSPITAL

Outcomes of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were related to patients’ quality of life. Our study is to find the associated factors in the quality of patients’ life who underwent TKA at Suranaree University of Technology Hospital. The study collected the data from 135 patients who underwent TKA and followed up their quality of life before and after surgery at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months, 1, 2, and 3 years. Demographic data, the severity of osteoarthritis by using Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), levels of activities in daily living and sports activities by using International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (IKDC), pain score by using Visual analogue scale (VAS), and duration of using crutches were analyzed by repeated measure ANOVA and multiple regression analysis. The results found that WOMAC score and pain score was significantly decreased after 1 month of surgery. IKDC score was significantly increased after 1 month of surgery and slightly decreased after 3 months of surgery. The associated factors with the WOMAC score were levels of education, annual income, and BMI. The IKDC score was associated with the IKDC score before surgery, and the pain score was associated with levels of education. This study points out that healthcare providers should explain clearly to the patients that after 1 month of surgery, their quality of life would be gradually improved. Patients should avoid extreme activities using their knees after the surgery for 3 months and should control their body weight for better outcomes.