Effects of bariatric surgery on knee osteoarthritis, knee pain and quality of life in female patients

OBJECTIVES: Bariatric surgery is an effective intervention for severe obesity and associated comorbidities. We compared symptoms, joint space and life quality of morbidly obese patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis before and after bariatric surgery METHODS: 34 patients with knee osteoarthritis were evaluated with standing anteroposterior and lateral radiography, medial and lateral joint distances of the knees, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) before and 6 months after surgery RESULTS: Mean patient age was 48.53 ± 6.91 years. Mean body mass index was 46.97±6.04 kg/m([2]) and 34.41±5.62 kg/m([2]) before and after surgery, respectively. SF-36 subscales were significantly higher after surgery (p<0.05), while mean VAS values and WOMAC scores were significantly lower postoperatively (p<0.001). Right knee medial and left knee lateral joint distance measurements were significantly higher postoperatively (p<0.05). BMI change, in linear regression analysis had no significant effect on VAS, WOMAC, SF-36 and knee lateral and medial joint distance measurements CONCLUSIONS: Although bariatric surgery might improve pain, life quality and functionality of knee osteoarthritis in early period, improvement is not directly related to weight loss amount.