Bilateral Staged Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: Are Patients Less Pleased with their Second Side?

Abstract

The available literature on the reported patient satisfaction following bilateral staged primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is limited. The purpose of our study is to compare patient-reported satisfaction following bilateral non-simultaneous TKA performed 
in a single unit.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed our regional database, the Trent and Wales Arthroplasty Audit Group (TWAAG). Patients who 
had bilateral staged TKA in the University Hospitals of Leicester, UK, between 1990 and 2007 and had completed a 12-month 
post-operative questionnaire were included in the study.
Results
One thousand one patients were included in the study. 824 patients (82.3%) reported being satisfied with both of their primary 
TKAs. 91% and 88% reported being satisfied with their TKA respectively for the first and second sides. A chi-squared test revealed that the difference in satisfaction rates between the first and second side TKA was statistically significant. 86 patients were 
pleased with their first side but not pleased/unsure with the second side. On the other hand, 55 patients were pleased with their 
second side but not pleased/unsure with the first side. This difference was also statistically significant.
Conclusion
In our study, more patients were pleased following their first side compared to their second side TKA.