Short term results of total knee arthroplasty in tertiary rural tier three government medical college and hospital

Background: The objective of the study was to assess the clinical and functional outcome of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using posterior cruciate stabilizing (PS) design in tertiary rural government hospital with limited infrastructure using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score and to offer a low cost option and assess post-operative pain relief in rural poor of the society and to compare the WOMAC score pre and post-operatively.Methods: The study was conducted on patients who have undergone primary total knee arthroplasty in Department of Orthopaedics, Government Medical College and Hospital, Aurangabad from December 2018 to December 2019. The patients were assessed using the WOMAC score and X-rays. These evaluations were performed at 3, 6 and 12 months follow up visits.Results: At 1 year follow up of 30 knees, the average pre-op WOMAC score of 79.5 improved to an average post-op score of 42.3. And knee flexion increased from 96.3 degree to 108.5 degrees both of which with a p value <0.0001 are statistically significant. One patient each had wound dehiscence and superficial infection. Patient satisfaction after the procedure was good-both in unilateral and staged bilateral TKA.Conclusions: TKA reduces knee pain significantly and improves the functional ability of the patient. And to be able to do so in a tertiary government rural setup with no laminar airflow and with such great efficacy and minimal complications bodes well for the number of people living in rural areas suffering from knee pain