Relationship of body mass index to early complications in knee replacement surgery

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between body mass index and early complications following knee replacement.

Methods

Five hundred and twenty-seven patients who underwent primary knee replacement were recruited. All these patients were subjected to a pre-operative assessment and follow-up at 6 weeks and 1 year following surgery. Any complication occurring during this period was recorded. Complications were grouped into systemic and local, minor and major.

Results

12.1% (N = 64) patients had an early complication following knee replacement surgery; 9.2% (N = 48) patients had a major complication. Overall BMI did not seem to influence significantly the rate of complication with a P-value of 0.338. A stronger correlation was found between the surgeon and presence of complication with a P-value of 0.004.

Conclusions

BMI has a weak correlation to early complications following joint replacement surgery. The operating surgeon seems to have a stronger correlation to early complications as compared with BMI.