Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41507904›Full record

Trial reportBMC musculoskeletal disorders2026

Effects of improved visual appearance on clinical outcomes after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

Ran Pang, Hui Yin, Yali Zhao, XingLong Zhang, Kai Zhang, Kaixuan Wu, Hui Li, Zhijun Li, Huafeng Zhang

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Ran Pang *Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Hui Yin *Department of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Yali ZhaoDepartment of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
XingLong ZhangDepartment of Orthopedics, Tianjin Hospital of ITCWM Nankai Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Kai ZhangDepartment of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Kaixuan WuDepartment of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Hui LiDepartment of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Zhijun LiDepartment of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Huafeng ZhangDepartment of Orthopedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China. tijmuhua516@163.com.

Funding

Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin Municipality 23JCYBJC00700
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDespite advancements in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), some patients remain dissatisfied postoperatively, potentially due to subjective perceptions of knee appearance. This study investigated whether visual feedback on improved knee alignment and appearance after TKA influences pain perception and patient-reported outcomes.

methodsIn this prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 60 patients undergoing primary TKA were randomized into intervention or control groups (n = 30 each). Pre- and postoperative radiographs, photographs, and gait videos were collected. Patient-reported outcomes were measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oxford Knee Score (OKS), and SF-36 survey. Three months postoperatively, the intervention group received visual feedback via their pre/post images and gait videos, while the control group received routine follow-up only.

resultsForty-nine patients were included in the final analysis. Baseline characteristics were similar. After the intervention, the VAS score was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group [1.00 (1.00, 2.00) vs. 2.00 (1.25, 3.00), P < 0.05], and SF-36 physical health scores improved significantly. Within-group analysis showed significant improvements in VAS, OKS, and SF-36 in the intervention group, while only OKS improved in the control group. Change-score analysis revealed a significantly greater reduction in pain in the intervention group [ΔVAS 1.00 (1.00, 2.00) vs. 0.00 (0.00, 0.00), P < 0.01].

conclusionsVisual feedback on postoperative knee alignment may improve pain perception and patient satisfaction after TKA. Incorporating standardized image and gait documentation into follow-up recovery may enhance patient satisfaction and perceived outcomes.

trial registrationchictr.org.cn, ChiCTR2300076318, Registration date: 01 October 2023.

Indexed as

Arthroplasty, Replacement, KneeFeedback, SensoryKnee JointOsteoarthritis, KneeAgedDouble-Blind MethodFemaleGaitHumansMaleMiddle AgedPain MeasurementPatient Reported Outcome MeasuresPatient SatisfactionPostoperative PainProspective StudiesAlignmentKnee appearancePatient satisfactionPostoperative follow-upTotal knee arthroplasty

Identifiers

PMID41507904
PMCPMC12882178

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.