Abstract
Introduction: This study prospectively measured fifty consecutive patients who had the preoperative diagnosis of osteoarthritis undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to evaluate the change of the bone mineral density (BMD) of the calcaneus.
Materials & Methods: Broadband ultrasound attenuation through the calcaneus was measured to assess the BMD of patients. The BMD was measured preoperatively and 1 month (M), 3M, 6M, 1 year, and 2 years after TKA.
Results: The mean BUA at each stage was 47.1, 45.8, 46.7, 46.7, 47.8 and 53.1, respectively. During the first 6 months, the BUA declined inconsistently in most patients, but by 1 year, the BUA recovered to the initial BUA before surgery and by 2 years, the BUA increased than the initial BUA, although there ware not satisfactory different. Despite a predicted age-related loss of 4% during 2 years, 78% of the calcaneus on the operative side had BMD higher than preoperative levels and 85% had BMD that was within the expected 4% age-related loss.
Discussion: These results indicated that TKA might contribute to decrease the age-related BMD loss. The increase with TKA in patient mobility and the increased heel loading may be a mechanism whereby the calcaneus BMD increases.
Conclusion: It is very important for surgeons to recognize the objection beneficial effects of TKA in addition to pain relief.
Correspondence should be addressed to: EFORT Central Office, Technoparkstrasse 1, CH – 8005 Zürich, Switzerland. Email: office@efort.org
