Does Weather Have an Influence on Pain in Patients With Arthroplasty?

Patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) often report fluctuations in pain levels associated with weather conditions. Despite common clinical observations, the literature remains inconclusive. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between postoperative pain scores and weather parameters, considering demographic and comorbidity factors.

A retrospective chart review was conducted on 558 patients who underwent TKA or THA between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2023. Patients without significant comorbidities affecting surgical outcomes were included. Postoperative pain scores recorded using a numerical rating scale were correlated with historical weather data (temperature, barometric pressure, humidity) and compared to the entire group (both TKA and THA) and to subgroups (TKA or THA).

The mean pain score reported was 3.87. Weather parameters, including temperature and barometric pressure, did not yield significant results with pain scores. Analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between age and pain scores (r = -19 0.293, p < 0.001), indicating that older patients reported lower pain levels. Body mass index (BMI) was positively correlated with pain scores (p < 0.05), while sex and race/ethnicity showed no significant associations (p > 0.05). Notably, mental health diagnoses significantly influenced pain ratings (p < 0.05).

This study found no significant relationship between postoperative pain and weather parameters in patients who underwent TKA/THA, challenging common assumptions that weather significantly influences pain perception. However, age, BMI, and mental health were identified as significant factors affecting postoperative pain experiences. These findings underscore the need for personalized pain management strategies that account for individual patient characteristics.