Evaluating the effect of obesity on total knee arthroplasty: A longitudinal study

To evaluate the effect of obesity on total knee arthroplasty, and on patient-reported outcomes.

The longitudinal study was conducted from September 2013 to August 2015 at The Second Hospital of Jinlin University, Changchun, Jinlin, China, a tertiary hospital. Using universal sampling method, all patients who underwent elective total knee arthroplasty were included in the study. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, Oxford Knee Score, and Short Form 12 Questionnaire. SPSS 19 was used for statistical analysis.

Of the 183 patients, 104(57%) were obese and 79(43%) were non-obese. The mean age was 63.7 ± 8.4 years and 65.0 ± 8.8 years in obese and normal patients respectively (p=0.31). A statistically significant association was observed with regard to Oxford knee score in both groups of patients (p<0.05). Overall, 7(8.9%) patients from the non-obese category and 23(22.1%) from the obese category presented with local complications, while another 7(3.8%) patients had to undergo a revised surgery.

It is very important to equate the outcomes of the surgery in obese and normal individuals.