Association of hemoglobin levels, acute hemoglobin decrease, age, and co-morbidities with rehabilitation outcomes after total knee replacement.
OBJECTIVE
A study was undertaken to assess the association of preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin levels with rehabilitation outcomes, age, and selected co-morbidities


METHODS
Charts of 49 patients admitted to rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty due to degenerative joint disease were reviewed. Outcome measures included rehabilitation admission and discharge motor FIMtrade mark scores, motor FIM gain, and rehabilitation length of stay.


RESULTS
Patients with higher preoperative hemoglobin levels had higher rehabilitation admission motor FIM scores (r=0.38, P<0.01) and lower motor FIM gains (r=-0.45, P<0.001). Patients who had higher hemoglobin levels at rehabilitation admission had higher admission motor FIM scores and shorter length of stay. Patients with diabetes had lower preoperative hemoglobin levels. Patients with hypertension had longer length of stay. Older patients had lower admission and discharge motor FIM scores and longer length of stay.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients admitted to rehabilitation after total knee replacement have the potential to improve motor function, regardless of their preoperative and rehabilitation admission hemoglobin levels and the decrease in hemoglobin levels. However, those admitted to rehabilitation with lower hemoglobin levels, those with lower admission motor FIM scores, those who are older, and those who have hypertension may expect longer hospital stays to reach their functional goals.
Wang
Xin
X
Baylor College of Medicine/University of Texas-Houston Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Alliance, Houston, Texas 77030-4298, USA.
Rintala
Diana H
DH
Garber
Susan L
SL
Henson
Helene K
HK
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology
D006454:Hemoglobins