A literature review identifies strategies to improve total knee replacement (TKR) rehabilitation outcomes in patients with obesity.
“Until recently, little was known about the outcomes of patients with obesity undergoing TKR,” says orthopaedic hip and knee surgeon J. Ryan Martin, MD, who authored the study, which appears in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
“We sought to review what information is known and what areas need further investigation,” adds Martin, in a media release from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
According to the review, the evidence contained in the literature suggests that prior to surgery, patients should be aware of, and try to manage, chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes; decrease their body mass index; and undergo testing for nutritional deficiencies to improve their surgical results.
The review also suggests that posturgery, patients with obesity may be at high risk for revision because of decreased longevity of implants and an elevated risk of infection. However, no study has evaluated methods for decreasing these complications, per the release.
“Although further research is needed, this review has allowed us to identify a variety of treatment methods to improve outcomes and reduce complications in patients with obesity,” Martin states, in the release. “We reviewed the most recent studies on obesity to provide perioperative guidance to improve and optimize outcomes based on our current evidence-based review.”
[Source(s): American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Science Daily]
