Delineating the impact of obesity and its relationship on recovery after total joint arthroplasties

SummaryObjectiveThe primary aim of this study was to determine the impact of obesity in predicting short and long-term pain relief and functional recovery in total joint arthroplasty (TJA) either as an independent risk factor or a factor mediated by two chronic conditions associated with obesity-cardiac disease and diabetes mellitus.MethodA prospective observational study of 520 patients with primary joint arthroplasties. Pain and functional outcomes were evaluated with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index within a month of surgery and then 6months and 3years post-operatively. Obesity, cardiac disease and diabetes mellitus were examined as potential risk factors for poor recovery. Patients were classified into four groups based on body mass index (BMI): (normal