Total knee replacement improves knee function quality of life in obese patients

New Delhi: A recent study revealed that all cases of total knee arthroplasty (TKA), irrespective of obesity class, showed a comparable improvement in knee function and quality of life. Also, the TKA offered substantial benefits with regards to knee stability, pain relief, range of movement of the knee, walking distance, and stair climbing. The study appears in the Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma. 

"Obesity is a known significant risk factor for developing knee osteoarthritis and is commonly seen in clinical practice. These people usually get an early-onset and more severe knee arthritis, that may require total knee replacement (TKR). However, obese people may suffer from a higher incidence of complications following TKR," Dr. Raju Vaishya, Department of Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement Surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals Sarita Vihar, New Delhi, India, told Medical Dialogues.

"We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study of the patients undergoing primary TKR at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, in 100 knees to evaluate the problems and complications associated with TKR in obese individuals." Obesity was classified in all cases, and multiple variables like pain, functional status, Range of Motion, knee deformity, and Patient Response Outcome Measures were recorded. 

"We found that the pain score, knee function, and patient-reported outcomes (PROM) were improved, irrespective of class of obesity, at one-year follow-up," said Dr. Vaishya. "There was an overall .improvement in the quality of life. Hence, we believe that the TKR in obese patients offers substantial benefits in terms of pain relief, knee stability, walking distance, range of movement of the knee, and stair climbing."

Irrespective of the class of obesity, all cases experienced a comparable improvement in their knee function and improved quality of life. And, the  TKA offered substantial benefits in terms of pain relief, knee stability, walking distance, range of movement of the knee, and stair climbing.

Reference:

The study titled, "Effect of Body Mass Index on the outcomes of primary Total Knee Arthroplasty up to one year -- A prospective study," was published in the Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcot.2022.101829