Evaluation of Pain Syndrome in Patients after Total Knee Replacement

Abstract

Total joint replacement is one the most effective methods for treatment of degenerative, systemic and posttraumatic diseases of the knee. However, up to 25% of patients remain dissatisfied with surgery outcomes. In the majority of cases the patients complain of pain in the operated joint. Identification of pain cause in the operated joint can turn to become a challenge for the surgeon.Purpose of the study — to identify the causes of pain syndrome basing on examination algorithm in patients after TKR as well as to assess the diagnostic value of each particular examination method.Materials and Methods. The authors analyzed results of comprehensive examination of 79 patients who complained of chronic knee pain after primary TKR and seeked medical help from the beginning of 2016 until December 2018. Inclusion criteria were as follows: knee prosthesis and presence of pain syndrome in the operated joint. Exclusion criteria: fistulous peri-prosthetic infection, suspected “culture-negative” infection and revisions. All patients included into the study were managed according to the standard algorithm of comprehensive examination.Results. The most likely causes of pain were identified during the examination. Infection was observed in 39 patients (49.4%), errors in three-dimensional positioning of components was considered as a probable cause of pain in 14 patients (17.7%), aseptic loosening was reported in 13 cases (16.5%), ligamentous instability — in 6 patients (7.6%), extraarticular pain origin was observed in 5 patients (6.3%) and peri-prosthetic fractures were reported in two patients (2.5%). The authors confirmed a combination of several pain causes in 17 patients (21.5%).Conclusion. Examination of patients with painfull knee joint prosthesis should be comprehensive due to potential combination of issues in each particular case. Integral and systematic approach to pain diagnostics in the operated joint is the “key to success” for planning further treatment tactics and for understanding the necessity and scope of revision procedure.