Title : Discrepancies between the knee and hip arthroscopy results and the patient's Body Mass Index (BMI)
Abstract:
Background: Although obesity is a known risk factor for joint degradation, there is conflicting evidence about its impact on the results of arthroscopic surgery. Regarding the function of Body Mass Index (BMI) in postoperative recovery, there is conflicting data. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between BMI and functional outcomes in individuals who were overweight or obese after knee and hip arthroscopy.
Method: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on 37 female patients (mean age: 65.3 ± 7.7 years; mean BMI: 31.3 ± 4.6 kg/m²) who underwent arthroscopic surgeries at a single facility in Saudi Arabia. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) preoperative and postoperative scores were used to evaluate functional results. Cochran's Q test and Spearman's correlation were used in statistical analyses to assess postoperative improvements and the association between surgical results and body mass index.
Result: Significant improvements in stiffness resolution (p = 0.0062), pain reduction (p = 0.0005), and functional mobility enhancement (p = 0.0366) were noted following surgery. In particular, 86.49% of patients reported no mobility issues after surgery, compared to 45.95% before, severe stiffness dropped from 43.24% to 62.16% reporting no stiffness, and stair-climbing pain fell from 72.97% to 54.05%. Reduced functional improvements in obese patients were suggested by the substantial correlations found between higher BMI and residual stiffness (C = 0.666, p < 0.0001) and mobility constraints (C = 0.515, p = 0.0011).
Conclusion: All BMI groups benefit from arthroscopy's successful reduction of pain, stiffness, and mobility limitations; however, postoperative improvements are less pronounced in those with higher BMIs. These results emphasize the significance of customized rehabilitation plans and preoperative weight control for obese patients. To improve surgical results and patient selection criteria, future studies should use objective biomechanical evaluations, diverse demographics, and longitudinal designs.
