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Weight loss continues beyond THA, TKA follow up
Clinically significant weight loss following total hip and knee arthroplasty may continue for several years beyond the 1- and 2-year follow-up reported in the literature, according to study results.
Researchers performed a retrospective review of 344 patients undergoing TKA and 294 patients undergoing THA, as well as other commonly performed lower extremity orthopedic surgeries between January 2002 and October 2011. Researchers analyzed patients undergoing THA and TKA for clinically and statistically significant weight changes at 1- and minimum 2-year follow-up.
Study results showed TKA resulted in a statistically significant decrease in mean body weight at a mean follow-up of 4.82 years. Following THA and TKA, researchers found a higher proportion of individuals who experienced clinically significant weight loss between the 1- and minimum 2-year follow-up vs. the proportion of individuals who gained clinically significant weight over the same time period.
“The results of this study suggest that clinically significant weight loss continues to occur for several years following lower extremity orthopedic surgery,” the researchers wrote. “Therefore, short-term follow-up may fail to capture the effects a given procedure has on long-term weight change. Future research should aim to investigate the factors that influence body weight beyond 1- and 2-year follow-up.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.