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Weight changes following lower limb arthroplasty: a prospective observational study.
R B Abu-Rajab1, H Findlay, D Young
1Orthopaedic Department, Royal Alexandra hospital, Corsebar Road, Paisley PA2 9PN. r1abu@hotmail.com
Scottish Medical Journal
|March 19, 2009
Summary
Weight gain is common after hip or knee replacement surgery, with most patients experiencing an increase in weight, not loss. Improved mobility from joint replacement does not guarantee weight loss.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Rehabilitative Medicine
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Joint replacement surgery aims to restore mobility.
- Post-surgery recovery and long-term outcomes are crucial.
- Weight management is a common concern for patients undergoing orthopedic procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate weight change patterns after total hip or knee arthroplasty.
- To determine if improved mobility following joint replacement correlates with weight loss.
- To compare weight changes between hip and knee arthroplasty patients.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 450 patients undergoing primary lower limb arthroplasty.
- Weight measurements recorded over a one-year period post-surgery.
- Functional outcomes assessed using Oxford outcome scores.
Main Results:
- A majority of patients (212/450) gained weight, with a median gain of 0.50Kg (p=0.002).
- Hip arthroplasty patients were more likely to gain weight than knee arthroplasty patients.
- Significant improvement in Oxford outcome scores was observed in all patients, irrespective of weight change.
Conclusions:
- Successful joint replacement restoring mobility does not invariably lead to weight loss.
- The majority of patients experience weight gain post-arthroplasty.
- Weight changes did not adversely affect functional outcomes after lower limb arthroplasty.
