IMPACT OF BODY MASS INDEX ON FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY AFTER TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Total knee replacement (TKR) is a common procedure for knee osteoarthritis.
• Assessing factors influencing functional recovery post-TKR is crucial for patient outcomes.
• Body mass index (BMI) and age are frequently studied as potential prognostic factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of body mass index and age on functional recovery two years after total knee replacement.
• To evaluate the correlation between BMI, age, and improvements in knee range of motion and WOMAC scores.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of patients undergoing TKR with a median parapatellar approach in 2019 was studied.
• Morphological measurements, knee range of motion, and WOMAC scores were assessed pre-operatively and two years post-operatively.
• Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the relationship between BMI, age, and functional recovery.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in BMI was observed between male and female patients.
• No statistically significant correlation was found between functional recovery (measured by WOMAC score changes) and patient age.
• No significant correlation existed between BMI and changes in knee range of motion (flexion to extension).

Conclusions:

• Total knee replacement demonstrates effective functional recovery irrespective of patient age.
• BMI does not appear to significantly impact functional recovery or range of motion improvements after TKR.
• TKR surgery effectively improved knee motion amplitude, particularly in patients with pre-operative flexion contracture.