Obesity can increase the risk of infections, delayed wound healing, premature implant failure, and deep vein thrombosis. The risks, however, are significantly reduced with modern surgical approaches, such as robotic knee replacement.
Osteoarthritis or knee injuries that cause severe pain, discomfort, and stiffness might require robotic knee replacement surgery in Mumbai. The surgery itself has a high success rate, but overall success depends on many factors, such as a preexisting medical condition, age, and overall health.
Obesity is one such medical issue that can influence the surgery, recovery, and post-operative health. Let’s understand how obesity impacts knee replacement and whether people with a higher BMI are good candidates for total knee replacement surgery.
Obesity and Knee Replacement: Understanding the Connection
Obesity is when you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher. The connection between obesity and knee replacement is not just about the extra weight. Your knees carry your entire body’s weight when you stand, walk, or perform any physical task. So, when your weight increases, even by a small percentage, the knee bears the extra weight.
Now, the fat tissue in your body actively releases cytokines (inflammatory chemicals), which cause low-grade inflammation throughout your body, including inside your knee joint. This, in turn, can worsen existing osteoarthritis.
That’s the reason why obese people are at an increased risk of developing arthritis at a young age, and are more likely to need a surgical intervention much earlier in life compared to adults with a healthy weight.
Initially, mild arthritis can be managed with medication, physiotherapy, and corticosteroid injections, but when pain becomes severe or starts affecting your daily life, a knee surgeon in Mumbai may recommend a more advanced treatment, such as knee replacement surgery.
Does Obesity Increase Risks and Complications After Knee Replacement?
Technically, the surgery itself becomes a little complicated due to obesity. The biggest challenge is the thick layer of soft tissues. The surgeon may have to retract significant tissue to reach deeper sections. As a result, the surgery may take longer than typical surgical time. Longer surgery can also pose infection and bleeding risks.
Here’s how obesity affects knee replacement surgery:
- Infection: In people with obesity, the blood supply to the skin and fatty tissue is often reduced. Since blood supplies the vital nutrients, oxygen, and cells that help wounds heal and fight infections, poor blood supply can slow healing and increase the risk of infections.
- Thromboembolic Events (DVT/PE): Everyone who undergoes knee replacement has some risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (a condition where a blood clot develops in a deep vein in your legs). However, the risk is particularly higher in obese people due to poor blood circulation, as well as less activity.
- Implant Failure: Another major risk is premature implant failure. Usually, in most people (including obese people), knee implants last for years. But every time you walk, stand, or move, your knee bears extra weight. Over time, this can cause small movements between the implant and the bone, causing it to loosen.
While knee replacement is associated with increased overall risk for obese patients, obesity doesn’t automatically make you a poor candidate for knee replacement. Many patients find relief from chronic knee pain, regain knee strength, and are able to move efficiently after surgery.
