Disability in end-stage knee osteoarthritis

Objective. To examine the attributes of disability in end-stage knee osteoarthritis (OA) by analyzing the relationships between self-reported disability and objectively measured physical function after controlling pain, personal characteristic factors, and pathophysiological factors.Methods. The present study adopted a cross-sectional design. The subjects (n=88, aged 60–80 years) were scheduled for primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) due to knee OA. Self-reported disability and pain were measured with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA Index (WOMAC) and the RAND 36-item Health Survey 1.0 (RAND-36). Physical performance tests included a 15-m walk test and stair performance. Knee isometric muscle strength was measured. A clinical examination included analyses of comorbidity, body mass index (BMI), and a detailed knee examination: The flexion range of motion (ROM) was measured; the presence of varus/valgus malalignments and antero-posterior laxity was assessed. Radiographs were ana...