Increased infection risk after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients with a higher body mass index (BMI), particularly a BMI ≥40kg/m
Medline and CINAHL databases were examined from Jan 2010 to May 2020 to identify high-level and/or clinically-influential evidence (systematic reviews, meta-analyses and clinical practice guidelines).
The literature does not show a clear relationship between weight loss and reduction in TKA complications, and no indication that a patients' individual risk is lowered by reducing their BMI from a threshold of ≥40kg/m
Evidence to support a benefit of weight loss prior to TKA is lacking. Until knowledge gaps are clarified, it is recommended that practitioners consider individual patient needs and risk before recommending weight loss (and therefore BMI reduction).