Can We Help Patients Forget Their Joint? Determining a Threshold for Successful Outcome for the Forgotten Joint Score
Authors: Rosinsky PJ, Chen JW, Lall AC, Shapira J, Maldonado DR, Domb BG
DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2019.08.014
Background
- The Forgotten Joint Score (FJS) is a validated PROM assessing patient awareness of the joint post-arthroplasty, with higher scores reflecting less joint awareness and better outcomes.
- This study aimed to establish thresholds defining successful outcomes post-total hip arthroplasty (THA).
Methods
Analysis of 247 THA patients, evaluating FJS at 1 and 2 years post-op to identify cutoff points correlating with successful outcomes.
Key Findings
- FJS thresholds indicating success were 73.96 at 1 year and 69.79 at 2 years.
- Patients continued to improve FJS scores beyond 1 year, suggesting ongoing recovery.
Conclusions
The FJS is a robust tool for monitoring patient outcomes post-THA and defining success thresholds helps contextualize patient progress.
What Does This Mean for Providers?
- Providers can use the FJS with established cutoff values to objectively evaluate patient-reported success following THA.
- Monitoring FJS over time can guide postoperative care and rehabilitation adjustments.
- Understanding that improvement may continue up to 2 years post-op supports extended follow-up and patient reassurance.