Weight change 1 year following total knee or hip arthroplasty

BACKGROUND: Pain secondary to osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip or knee is often used as a reason to not lose weight prior to total knee or hip arthroplasty (TKA, THA). This study followed the weight change of patients who subjectively increased their activity levels 1 year following TKA or THA. METHODS: We reviewed the records and prospectively followed the weight of 84 patients 1 year following surgery. The pre and postoperative weight were compared, including separate 10 kg categories (e.g. 60.1-70.0 kg). RESULTS: All patients had improved mobility as evaluated by either the clinical notes or a patient-based questionnaire. At 1 year, there was no significant change in weight; only an insignificant small increase in weight was seen. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that lower preoperative activity levels are not the cause for the inability to lose weight or that the gain in mobility achieved by joint replacement, of its own, does not result in weight loss.