Fibromyalgia seems to increase risk of complications after knee surgery

People with fibromyalgia may have a greater risk of developing certain surgical complications after total knee replacement operations, researchers report in the Journal of Arthroscopy.

Data from more than 305,500 people who had a total knee replacement over a nine-year period was analysed.

People with fibromyalgia had increased odds of developing any surgical complication (such as bearing wear or periprosthetic osteolysis) than people without fibromyalgia. They were also more likely to develop revision of tibial insert, mechanical loosening, infection/inflammation, dislocations and other complications.

“This analysis of over 300,000 patients identified that fibromyalgia patients can have a greater risk of developing certain surgical complications after total knee arthroscopy,” the researchers explain. “Therefore, fibromyalgia patients must be made aware of the increased postoperative risks and surgeons should consider enhanced preoperative medical and surgical optimization.”

Click here to read the original research. 

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