Weight patterns before and after total joint arthroplasty and characteristics associated with weight change

Although prevalence of obesity and incidence of total joint arthroplasty (TJA) have dramatically increased over the last two decades in the U.S., little is known of the preoperative and postoperative weight patterns of patients undergoing TJA.

To describe the preoperative and postoperative weight patterns of patients undergoing TJA and evaluate characteristics associated with these patterns.

Retrospective cohort study. A cohort of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2010, was identified. Using weight obtained at patient encounters, patients were categorized into gainers (increased weight by 5%), losers (decreased weight by 5%), or remained the same (changed < 5%) for the preoperative and postoperative periods. Patients were characterized by sex, age, and race.

Weight change before and after TJA.

Of 30,632 patients with TJA identified, 34.5% underwent THA and 65.5% had TKA. Most patients remained the same weight during the year before (THA, 71.5%; TKA, 75.7%) and after the procedure (64.0% and 68.5%, respectively). Before and after THA, men were less likely to lose or gain weight than were women. Older patients were less likely to gain weight. Among patients undergoing TKA, men were less likely to lose weight preoperatively or postoperatively, or gain weight postoperatively, and older patients were less likely to gain weight before or after arthroplasty. Some racial associations with weight patterns were observed.

Specific groups are more susceptible to weight change and could benefit from weight management interventions.