Improving Diagnostic Efficiency for Knee Osteoarthritis with the Knee Intake Patient Survey (KIPS).

OBJECTIVES

Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most frequently encountered conditions in orthopedic practice. This study aimed to validate the Knee Intake Patient Survey (KIPS), a short-form questionnaire designed to assist in the initial diagnosis and treatment stratification for knee OA.

METHODS

Patient intake survey results from a single adult reconstruction clinic were retrospectively analyzed alongside clinical diagnoses and treatment recommendations. The KIPS total score and individual question responses were assessed for their correlation with a diagnosis of knee OA versus other knee pathologies, as well as treatment decisions.

RESULTS

Higher total KIPS scores were significantly associated with a diagnosis of knee OA and increased likelihood of surgical recommendation, while lower scores correlated with alternative diagnoses (e.g., patellofemoral arthritis or knee internal derangement) and physical therapy recommendations. A KIPS threshold score of ≥10 maximized the specificity (94.4%) for diagnosing knee OA.

CONCLUSIONS

The KIPS questionnaire effectively differentiates knee OA from other pathologies and stratifies patients for treatment recommendations. Incorporating validated tools like KIPS may enhance clinical efficiency and support future AI-driven diagnostic models in orthopedic care.