Impact of psoriasis on THA and TKA outcomes: A systematic review

Psoriasis is an autoimmune inflammatory condition that often intersects with orthopaedic care due to its connection to psoriatic arthritis. However, not all psoriasis patients develop psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis patients may undergo hip or knee arthroplasties for reasons unrelated to psoriasis. This condition, marked by inflamed, scaly skin caused by an overactive immune system, may pose challenges for orthopaedic surgeries. This systematic review evaluated outcomes for psoriasis patients after total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA), focusing on postsurgical impact to inform additional considerations for patients.

Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted in Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane (up to October 2024). Studies involving patients with psoriasis undergoing THA or TKA were analyzed for postoperative outcomes.

359 studies were screened, 7 met inclusion criteria. Two studies focused on THA, three on TKA, and two examined both procedures. Patients with psoriasis undergoing THA showed increased risk of infections compared to non-psoriasis patients. For TKA, results were mixed in whether psoriasis led to higher infection rates. Psoriasis did not lead to increased revisions in both THA and TKA. Additionally, two studies found no significant differences in wound complications in TKA patients.

This systematic review underscores the importance of considering post-surgical complications in psoriasis patients undergoing either a THA or TKA. However, lack of research makes it difficult to generalize findings. Psoriasis is an important factor to consider for surgical outcomes, but further research is needed to clarify risks and optimize care for patients.