Preop Cognitive Impairment Tied to TKA Delirium
Older patients with documented cognitive impairment also experienced greater postoperative functional decline following elective total knee arthroplasty
By
Andrea Surnit
May 13, 2026
1
Older patients with preoperative cognitive impairment undergoing TKA had higher rates of postoperative delirium compared to those without impairment.
2
Postoperative functional dependence was significantly worse in patients with cognitive impairment, with only 17% remaining independent post-surgery.
3
The study found that 50% of patients with cognitive impairment were discharged to nonhome locations, compared to 36% of those without impairment.
4
The research highlighted the need for early identification of cognitive impairment to implement preemptive interventions and reduce adverse outcomes.
5
Limitations included reliance on clinical documentation for cognitive impairment and lack of standardized assessments for delirium and rehabilitation.
