The total number of working age patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty is continuously increasing. We evaluated the rate of return to work and analyzed
patient related factors that may influence the rate of return to work after TKA in a
large public sector working patient population (n=452; n=90 male, n=362 female;
mean age 56.4y, SD 5.1). In the current study, 82.7% (394 out of 452) of patients
returned to their previous work, at a mean of 116 days after TKA. For the patients
(n=58) that did not return to work based on Cox proportional hazard analysis sick
leave duration during the year before surgery and patients socioeconomic status
were identified to contribute in patients return to work. Patients with overall sick
leave for over one month, during the last year before surgery, showed a 2.2-fold
increased risk in not returning to work. Patients with low socioeconomic status
showed a 2.6-fold increased risk as compared to patients with high status and a
1.5-fold risk as compared with patients with moderate socioeconomic status in
not returning to work. It is important to identify patients at an early stage who are
at risk of prolonged sick leave due to symptoms of osteoarthritis. Work modifications, starting of appropriate conservative treatment and correct timing of TKA
may ensure patients work abilities.