Effect of body mass index on limb alignment after total knee arthroplasty

Prior studies have reported increased failure rates in obese patients with postoperative limb mal-alignment. This study was undertaken to determine if a relationship exists between postoperative limb alignment and BMI in patients undergoing primary TKA performed with mechanical instruments. An IRB-approved retrospective review of 196 knees was undertaken. Limb alignment was determined on full-length, standing, hip-to-ankle x-rays, preoperatively and postoperatively. The effects of gender, side, preoperative mechanical alignment and BMI on postoperative alignment were analyzed via multivariate regression analysis. Both preoperative mechanical limb alignment (P<0.001) and BMI (P=0.009) had a significant effect on postoperative limb alignment following TKA performed with mechanical instruments.