Odds-ratio network for postoperative factors revealing differences in the 2-year longitudinal pattern of satisfaction between women and men after total knee arthroplasty

Timely and accurate assessments of the factors influencing satisfaction, a key indicator of success in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA), may help improve TKA outcomes. Here we performed the longitudinal trend analysis of relation between satisfaction and 12 postoperative factors, which positively or negatively influence the patient satisfaction 2 years after TKA. In a real-world registry cohort (women/men: 1121/650), we showed similarities and differences between women and men in the contribution of postoperative factors to satisfaction 2 years after TKA as assessed by odds-ratio-similarity network. In men, the strongest negative factors were pain and complications, followed by mechanical problems. In women, the strongest negative factors were the pain and knee instability, followed by other mechanical problems, complications and low levels of sports activity. In both sexes, physical activity and the Knee Society Score (general and functional) influenced positively satisfaction; long-distance walking was associated with satisfaction only in women. A trend analysis revealed a reduction in the strength of satisfaction-related factors over 2 years of check-ups, particularly in women. Our study demonstrates that the key check-up for assessing the evolution of satisfaction in the 2 years after TKA was at 3 months in both sexes.

Automated summary

Accurate assessment of factors influencing satisfaction after total knee arthroplasty is crucial for improving surgical outcomes. This study found that pain and complications were the strongest negative factors affecting satisfaction, while physical activity and the Knee Society Score had a positive impact on satisfaction.