Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) helps regulate neuroinflammation and anxiety and could conceivable predict early post-operative pain and function after fast-track total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
In patients with severe osteoarthritic knees undergoing TKA, we assessed: the correlations between pre-operative concentrations of TNF-α in synovial fluid; pre- and six-week post-operative knee function and pain; pre- and post-operative anxiety; pre- and post-operative synovial fluid concentrations of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP); age and body mass index (BMI).
Of 100 enrolled patients, 78 had evaluable TNF-α data, and 58 had evaluable COMP data. Pre-operative TNF-α concentrations were inversely correlated with post-operative pain scores during walking (r
High levels of pre-operative TNF-α concentrations could be used as an independent predictor of better knee function at six weeks of follow-up. In patients with lower pre-operative TNF-α concentrations, post-operative pain management may improve the early outcome of the operated joint.