Recovery process of physical function, physical activity self-efficacy and health-related quality of life in the 2 years after total knee arthroplasty

[Purpose] We monitored the physical function, physical activity self-efficacy (SE) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) recovery of patients for 2 years after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). [Participants and Methods] Thirty-three first-time unilateral TKA recipients were evaluated using the timed up-and-go test, one-leg standing time with eyes-open, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (Japanese) pain and function components. The Physical Activity SE Scale for the Frail Elderly was used to measure self-efficacy, and SF-36v2 was used to evaluate HRQOL. [Results] Physical function and all scales of physical activity SE, SF-36v2 physical function, role physical and bodily pain had significantly improved at 3 months post-operatively, and with the exceptions of vitality and mental health, the other 6 scales maintained significant improvements up to 2 years after surgery. [Conclusion] Physical function and physical activity SE, and HRQOL, except for psychological measures, of TKA patients improved within 3 months post-operatively and these improvements were maintained up to 2 years postoperatively.