Postoperative Swelling Did Not Return to Preoperative Levels in Most Patients Two Years After Total Knee Arthroplasty.
J ArthroplastyApr 24, 2026 (epub)
Kristen I Barton, Nina M Carson, Jason M Jennings et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial examined postoperative swelling in 135 patients after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Results showed that only 28% of patients returned to preoperative swelling levels by two years post-surgery, with significant swelling remaining at all follow-up points. The study highlights the persistent nature of swelling and its lack of correlation with functional recovery.
Key findings
- Mean swelling was 15.3% at 10 weeks, 9.6% at six months, and 5.4% at two years post-TKA.
- Only 28% of patients returned to pre-TKA swelling levels by two years.
- Swelling at all postoperative time points was significantly higher than pre-TKA levels (P < 0.0001).
- The BIA ratio correlated with the 6-minute walk test at 10 weeks (0.24, P = 0.007).
Why it matters
Understanding the persistence of swelling after TKA is crucial for managing patient expectations and recovery. Clinicians should be aware that elevated swelling may not correlate with functional recovery, impacting rehabilitation strategies.