The results of 41 consecutive total knee replacements performed on morbidly obese patients with a body mass index > 40 kg/m(2), were compared with a matched group of 41 similar procedures carried out in non-obese patients (body mass index < 30 kg/m(2)). The groups were matched for age, gender, diagnosis, type of prosthesis, laterality and pre-operative Knee Society Score. We prospectively followed up the patients for a mean of 38.5 months (6 to 66). No patients were lost to follow-up. At less than four years after operation, the results were worse in the morbidly obese group compared with the non-obese, as demonstrated by inferior Knee Society Scores (mean knee score 85.7 and 90.5 respectively, p = 0.08; mean function score 75.6 and 83.4, p = 0.01), a higher incidence of radiolucent lines on post-operative radiographs (29% and 7%, respectively, p = 0.02), a higher rate of complications (32% and 0%, respectively, p = 0.001) and inferior survivorship using revision and pain as end-points (72.3% and 97.6%, respectively, p = 0.02). Patients with a body mass index > 40 kg/m(2) should be advised to lose weight prior to total knee replacement and to maintain weight reduction. They should also be counselled regarding the inferior results which may occur if they do not lose weight before surgery.
This paper reviews the current literature concerning the main clinical factors which can impair the healing of fractures and makes recommendations on avoiding or minimising these in order to optimise the outcome for patients. The clinical implications are described.
There are few direct comparative studies evaluating results after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty. We determined the active range of motion, Knee Society score, and 5-year survivorship rate after 54 consecutive unilateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasties compared with a matched group of 54 unilateral total knee arthroplasties. The two groups of patients were matched for age, gender, body mass index, preoperative active range of movement, and preoperative Knee Society scores. All patients had osteoarthritis of the knee. Patients were assessed prospectively at 6, 18, 36, and 60 months postoperatively, and the mean followup was 59 months in both groups. The mean postoperative active range of motion was greater after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, but there were no differences in the overall Knee Society knee and function scores. The 5-year survivorship rate based on revision for any reason was 88% for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and 100% for total knee arthroplasty. The worst case 5-year survivorship rate, assuming all patients lost to followup had revision surgery, was 85% for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and 98% for total knee arthroplasty. Total knee arthroplasty was a more reliable procedure. Midterm clinical outcomes were similar for both procedures, but the complication rate may be greater for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.
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