Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026
The Transition to an Anterior-Based Muscle Sparing Approach Improves Early Postoperative Function but is Associated with a Learning Curve
Published on: September 7, 2022
Relationship of body mass index to early complications in knee replacement surgery
1Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE29 6NT, UK. orthopatel@hotmail.com
Background:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between body mass index and early complications following knee replacement.
Methods:
Five hundred and twenty-seven patients who underwent primary knee replacement were recruited. All these patients were subjected to a pre-operative assessment and follow-up at 6 weeks and 1 year following surgery. Any complication occurring during this period was recorded. Complications were grouped into systemic and local, minor and major.
Results:
12.1% (N = 64) patients had an early complication following knee replacement surgery; 9.2% (N = 48) patients had a major complication. Overall BMI did not seem to influence significantly the rate of complication with a P-value of 0.338. A stronger correlation was found between the surgeon and presence of complication with a P-value of 0.004.
Conclusions:
BMI has a weak correlation to early complications following joint replacement surgery. The operating surgeon seems to have a stronger correlation to early complications as compared with BMI.
