Total Knee Arthroplasty and Parkinson Disease: Enhancing Outcomes and Avoiding Complications

William Macaulay, MD, Jeffrey A. Geller, MD, Anthony R. Brown, MD, Lucien J. Cote, MD and Howard A. Kiernan, MD J Am Acad Orthop Surg, Vol 18, No 11, November 2010

Abstract: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is typically an extremely successful method of restoring pain-free function and providing good long-term outcomes for patients with end-stage knee disease. However, outcomes are less predictable in persons with Parkinson disease. The limited literature available and our experience lead us to conclude that complication rates in the perioperative and postoperative periods with TKA are comparatively high in persons with Parkinson disease. In addition, a good functional outcome is less certain than in the general population. For persons with Parkinson disease who require TKA, we propose an integrative, collaborative approach to avoid complications and optimize outcomes.