Abstract: Introduction: Among the people of India, osteoarthritis of the knees causes a serious amount of loss in productivity and immense hardships. Total knee arthroplasty [TKA] gives a solution to overcome these problems of the condition. The patients selected for this study were from the lower socioeconomic strata who are mostly presenting with higher incidences of deformities, have poor nutritional status, coupling this with usually late presentation to the hospitals makes them high risk candidates.
Method: In our study, 40 patients were operated and followed for a period of 6 months to 18 months. 24 were female and 16 were male. American knee society score was used to grade the functional levels. Patients were classified into mild, moderate and severe. Posterior cruciate substituting prosthesis was utilized for all the subjects with the surgery being done in our institution. Complications were documented. Satisfaction levels were assessed based on the patients demands, mode of transport and pain relief.
Results: In our study, 60 % of the patients comprised of females and 40% of males. In this study 22% of patients had excellent results, 25% of patients had poor results, 53 percent of patients had good to fair results. Satisfaction among patients was poor 62.5% of patients were not satisfied with their replaced knee. A number of patients had developed complications - knee stiffness, infection (deep, superficial), persistent pain were predominant complications.
Conclusion: Through this study, patients from the lower socioeconomic levels had poor satisfaction levels despite having successful TKA. The study reported with roughly 63% of the study subjects not being satisfied which was due to high expectations and demands from the patients. People having low demands, no resting pain and moderate arthritis were found to be ideal candidates for TKA.
