Morbid Obesity in Total Knee Arthroplasty: Joint-Specific Variance in Outcomes for Operative Time,Length of Stay,and Readmission

Background

It is increasingly apparent that the effect of obesity in arthroplasty is joint-specific. This study evaluates the effects of morbid obesity on primary total knee arthroplasty by comparing short-term outcomes between a morbidly obese (body mass index ≥40 kg/m²) and a normal weight (body mass index 18.5-<25 kg/m²) cohort at our institution between January 2003 and December 2010.

Methods

One hundred seventeen morbidly obese patients were compared with 94 normal weight patients. Operative time, length of stay, complications, 30-day readmission, and readmission length were compared.

Results

Morbid obesity conveyed no significant increase in 30-day readmission. Operative time was increased at 100 minutes in the morbidly obese group, compared with 90.5 minutes (P = .026).

Conclusion

Morbid obesity conveyed no increased risk of length of stay or readmission in this cohort.