Obesity, Diabetes and Lung Disease May Raise Complications After Hip Replacement, Knee Implant
June 8th, 2012 tmccoy
Those receiving hip replacements or knee implants may face a more complicated recovery if they are obese, have diabetes or lung disease. According to a recently published study in the journal Anesthesiology, approximately 3 percent of patients who undergo total hip and knee replacement surgeries will require critical care services before they go home from the hospital.
This study analyzed information collected from about 530,000 patients who had a knee or hip replacement surgery done in a hospital in the US between the years 2006 and 2010.
Older patients were more likely than younger patients to be in the 3% of those who require critical care services. Adults who needed these critical care services were found to be more likely to be obese, diabetic or have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The most typical complications occurring after hip or knee replacement surgery are heart or lung problems.
Over one million total hip and knee replacements are performed every year in the U.S. By the year 2030, that number is supposed to have jumped to four million.
