C-reactive protein course after classical complication free total knee arthroplasty using navigation

PURPOSE: The purpose is to estimate the degree of normalization of C-reactive protein (CRP) at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after uncomplicated total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using computer navigation. We also wish to determine whether the degree of normalization of CRP at 2 and 4 weeks differs after TKA performed in one knee and after TKA performed sequentially in both knees. We also want to analyze the patient factors that may influence the normalization of CRP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 400 knees who underwent primary computer-navigated TKA for treatment of advanced osteoarthritis: the TKAs were all performed by the same surgeon. We retrospectively analyzed CRP levels during the preoperative period, the early postoperative period (5–7 days), the 2-week postoperative period (12–14 days), and the 4-week postoperative period (25–30 days). We have assumed gender, age, body mass index (BMI), staged bilateral TKA, and preoperative CRP as the potential patient factors associated with CRP normalization. RESULTS: In unilateral TKA, CRP was normalized in 94 cases (34.3%) and in 219 cases (81.4%) within 2 weeks and 4 weeks after surgery, respectively. In second-knee, staged bilateral TKA, CRP was normalized in 46 cases (35.1%) and in 104 cases (79.4%) within 2 weeks and 4 weeks after surgery, respectively. There were no statistical differences between unilateral TKA and second-knee, staged bilateral TKA during the 2-week postoperative and the 4-week postoperative period. Compared to women, men were 1.99 times less likely to have normalized CRP at 2 weeks after surgery (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: CRP was less likely to normalize during the 2-week postoperative period in men than it is in women, while there was no difference between men and women in the normalization of CRP during the 4-week postoperative period. There were no statistical differences in the course of CRP levels after unilateral TKA and staged bilateral TKA during the 2-week postoperative and the 4-week postoperative period.