title: Subjective and objective outcome measures after total knee replacement: is there a correlation?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although various methods for quantifying outcomes following total knee replacement (TKR) are used, there are few studies of the relationships between patient reported scores and functional tests. This paper aims to assess the relationships between commonly used outcome scores after TKR through a prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four patients who had undergone unilateral TKR were assessed using four patient-reported outcome scores as well as objective measurements of knee laxity, quadriceps muscle strength and the Timed Up and Go Test. All scores and measures were correlated using the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient using the lower one-sided 95% confidence interval. A level of significance of P < 0.05 was selected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Timed Up and Go Test was the only objective measure to demonstrate a statistically significant correlation (r = -0.557 to -0.770, P = 0.0001-0.005) with patient-reported scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A comprehensive assessment of outcomes after TKR requires both subjective and objective assessments. Walking ability and speed are important to the TKR patient and are representative of their pain and function.
authors: Musculoskeletal Research Unit, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. chycoyle@yahoo.com.
authors: Christy
authors: C
authors: Graff
authors: Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine, Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Erik
authors: E
authors: Hohmann
authors: Musculoskeletal Research Unit, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.|School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Adam L
authors: AL
authors: Bryant
authors: School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.|Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors: Kevin
authors: K
authors: Tetsworth
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: laxity; outcomes; strength; total knee replacement