Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most frequent joint disease with a prevalence of 5313 per 100,000 persons in India. OA of the knee is a major contributor to mobility impairment, particularly among women. In these patients, total knee replacement (TKR) is widely accepted as the gold standard treatment for pain relief and restoration of function. Now, patients have the option of undergoing either a simultaneous bilateral TKR or a staged TKR. The former has shown significant advantages such as shorter rehabilitation, cost efficacy and shorter hospital stay. This study aimed to assess the functional and radiological outcome of simultaneous bilateral TKR in a tertiary care centre. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 adult patients above the age of 55 years with severe OA knee who underwent simultaneous bilateral TKR between 2022-2023 were included in this prospective study. Preoperatively, they were assessed with radiographs including full length scannograms. Mean Anatomical Axis, Mean Mechanical Axis and Mechanical Axis Deviation (Varus) were calculated based on the scannograms by a single observer. The same observer administered the oxford knee score (OKS) preoperatively to all patients. Regular clinical and radiological follow up was done. After 1 year follow up, the same observer administered the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) to the operated knee. RESULTS: With a female preponderance among the study subjects (56.7%), the majority of the cases in our cohort were characterised as Grade IV Kellgren-Lawrence radiological grade of Osteoarthritis (76.66%) and were found to have tricompartmental involvement (70%). The mean anatomical axis for the right and left lower limb were 4.56±5.17 and 9.68±1.72 respectively. The mean mechanical axis deviation (Varus) for the right and left lower limb were 31.6±15.1 and 52.0±13.9 respectively. Preoperatively, mean mechanical axis for the right and left lower limb were 9.95±4.31 and 14.2 ±0.67 respectively. Postoperatively, mechanical axis was restored to near-normal values (3-5 degrees). Significant improvement in mean OKS from a preoperative value of 18.30 ± 3.46 to postoperative value of 33.50 ± 5.32 was noted at 1 year. CONCLUSION: Treatment of severe bilateral OA knee with simultaneous single staged bilateral TKR ensures good functional outcome , early mobility with minimal complications.