The aim of this study was to use the Risk Assessment and Predictor Tool (RAPT) to evaluate the risk of complications in patients hospitalized after total knee replacement (TKR) surgery.
The medical charts of 272 patients who had TKR surgery for knee osteoarthritis (OA) were included in the study. The presurgical RAPT score and Lequesne functional pain index score were determined based on a thorough analysis of the medical charts. Complications that had an impact on the vital prognosis or knee prosthesis outcomes were reported. Patients were compared according to the RAPT and a relative risk of complications was established.
Only 12.2% of patients hospitalized in a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) center after their surgery could have been discharged home directly after their initial hospital stay for TKR surgery (score RAPT more than 9). These patients were mostly men and significantly younger. Their Lequesne score was significantly lower by an average of at least two points. Their relative risk of complications was 0.45 vs. 2.16 for patients who had a RAPT score less than 6.
Patients with a RAPT score more than 9 have a low risk of complications. They should not systematically be admitted to a PM&R unit after surgery. On the other hand, for patients with a RAPT score less than 6 a hospital stay in a PM&R care center is justified after TKR surgery.