It is established that patients and surgeons share different perceptions regarding total knee replacement (TKA). This study's objective was to determine patient perceptions regarding TKA as well as the influence of the various information sources in shaping these perceptions. All patients presenting with knee pain for evaluation of TKA were offered a questionnaire. Multivariate statistical analysis correlated response and demographic variables. Approximately 81% of patients felt the main reason for TKA was to alleviate pain, whereas only 19% felt return to sports-related activities was the main reason. Approximately 37% of patients felt TKAs should last for 20 years or more, which was strongly correlated with TV, newspaper, or Internet exposure (p ≤ 0.01). Approximately 38% of respondents had heard of partial knee replacement, whereas relatively few had received information regarding patient-specific, gender-specific, mobile-bearing, or high-flexion TKA designs. Men were likelier than women to get their information from friends, family, or another patient (p = 0.04). Although most respondents perceived pain relief as the primary goal, patients getting information from the media are likelier to expect TKA to last longer than 20 years. This suggests direct-to-patient marketing with such claims as 30-year durability may influence patient perceptions regarding TKA.
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