RT Journal
A1 Vail, Thomas Parker
T1 Commentary on an article by Joseph F. Styron, PhD, et al.: “Preoperative Predictors of Returning to Work Following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty”
JF The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
JO The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery
YR 2011
FD January 5
VO 93
IS 1
SP e2 1
OP 1
DO 10.2106/JBJS.J.01581
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.J.01581
AB 
As the volume of total knee replacements increases and the indications for this surgery expand to include younger age groups, it is clear that surgical treatment of arthritis in the form of knee replacement surgery will impact the adult working population. Time out from work has very important economic implications, which underscore the importance of studying this group of patients. The authors of this study completed a very interesting analysis of prospectively collected data focused on factors that impact the likelihood of returning to work after total knee replacement. While the stated goal of this research was to provide information to clinicians helping patients to set expectations, it turns out that the motivation, if not the expectations, of these patients is an important determinant of the final result. The results and conclusions of this analysis will be of particular interest to health-care providers, employers, and patients alike, as they demonstrate that there are factors within the control of each of these stakeholders that impact the length of time that a patient is out of work after knee replacement surgery.