Fulfilment of patients’ mandatory expectations are crucial for satisfaction: a study amongst 352 patients after total knee arthroplasty (TKA)

PURPOSE: Patient satisfaction with the results of their total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the primary goals of this elective procedure. Furthermore, the association between the fulfilment of patients’ expectations and their satisfaction is well known. The aim of this study was to identify the key expectations of patients awaiting a TKA, evaluate their fulfilment, and compare the outcomes between very and not fully satisfied patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of patients with knee OA scheduled for primary TKA was performed. Pre- and one-year postoperatively patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were assessed. Expectations and their fulfilment were evaluated via a questionnaire encompassing 31 expectations. Preoperatively, expectations were indicated as mandatory, desirable and not important. Postoperatively, fulfilment was rated as exceeded, fulfilled, partially or not fulfilled, and not applicable. Satisfaction with the results of TKA was measured with a numeric rating scale (NRS) of 0–10. Discrimination between not fully satisfied and very satisfied patients was set at ≥ 8, as has been proposed recently. To identify independent predictors of this discrimination, a multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: Complete data sets of 352 patients were analysed. A set of 17 key expectations was identified. Relief of knee pain was fulfilled the most, and improvement of physical function was fulfilled the least. When asked about overall fulfilled expectations, 40% of patients rated them as exceeded, 34% as fulfilled and 26% as less fulfilled than expected. Not fully satisfied patients showed significantly lower PROMs pre- and postoperatively and less fulfilled key expectations. Higher numbers of exceeded and fulfilled mandatory expectations, higher overall fulfilment and better range of motion (ROM) were significant predictors for satisfaction ≥ 8. CONCLUSION: Patients’ expectations of TKA outcomes were high with equal emphasis on knee-related and general health-related aspects. Their fulfilment was positively associated with satisfaction. Surgeons should ask patients about mandatory expectations for successful TKA and counsel them about the likelihood of their fulfilment to avoid unrealistic expectations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00167-022-07301-y.