A study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery examines the effect of body mass index on reoperation and complications for patients who undergo total knee replacement surgery.
The study authors examined 16,136 patients who underwent 22,289 knee surgeries from 1985 to 2012. The average BMI for all patients was 31.3 kg/m2 before surgery. The researchers found:
1. The reoperation and implant revision or removal weight was higher among patients with the increased BMI at the time of their initial surgery.
2. Higher BMI was associated with increased wound infection and deep infection rates per BMI unit over 35 kg/m2.
3. Patients who had BMP of 35 to 40 kg/m2 were associated with higher implant revision rates for aseptic loosening and polyethylene wear when compared to patients with lower BMI.
4. The study authors didn't report a correlation between venous thromboembolism, tibiofemoral instability or knee manipulation risk and BMI.
5. The study authors concluded, "The rates of reoperation, implant revision or removal, and many common complications after total knee arthroplasty were strongly associated with BMI."