While some surgeons believe that GLP-1s will lead to an increase in joint replacements due to high-BMI patients losing enough weight to be eligible, others believe that as patients are healthier, they will need fewer surgeries.
A June report from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons highlighted some unanticipated impacts of GLP-1s on joint patients, including effects on joints and arthritis.
Evidence indicated that GLP-1 medications can improve knee pain and function outside of the reduction in symptoms from weight loss alone. Evidence also indicates that GLP-1 medications may slow joint structural changes. Patients receiving a GLP-1 agonist saw greater improvements in pain and function than patients treated with weight loss alone.
A recent survey by Zimmer Biomet indicated that some obese patients may be eligible for surgery following weight loss due to the use of GLP-1 medications, but respondents did not feel that these medications would slow the need for surgery in patients with hip and knee arthritis.
Zimmer Biomet’s analysis showed that 16% of obese patients who were undergoing total knee arthroplasty were utilizing GLP-1 medications, compared with just 4% in 2019.
“We don’t anticipate the weight-loss drug having a negative impact. Actually, we think it’s going to help with implant volumes. There are a large percentage of candidates that are too high (in body mass) to have surgery,” Lisa Kloes, general manager and vice president of Stryker’s knee business, told AAOS.
