What weight do you have to be for knee surgery?
Asked by: Dr. Kacey Hayes MD | Last update: September 13, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (48 votes)
Is there a weight limit for knee surgery?
While there is no maximum weight for knee replacement, carrying extra weight can present some risks. These are among the many factors your surgeon will consider when deciding if you are a good candidate for the procedure. Other factors include your current pain and disability levels.
How much weight should I lose before knee surgery?
According to research, losing just 20 pounds is a good goal before knee surgery. However, if you have a BMI over 40, your surgeon can refer you to weight loss services. This will help you to lose the weight required to progress with treatment. This greatly reduces the risks, even if you are classed as morbidly obese.
How fat is too fat for knee replacement?
If you live with obesity, you're much more likely to develop hip pain or knee pain that requires surgical treatment. However, many surgeons choose not to perform hip or knee replacement surgery on people whose BMI is greater than 40. That's because a high BMI is associated with a higher risk of surgical complications.
Who cannot have knee replacement surgery?
Patients who have thinning of the cartilage but not bone touching bone should not undergo knee replacement surgery, except in rare circumstances.
Total Knee Replacement - How to Lose Weight Before Surgery
What weight should I be for knee replacement?
There is a range of accepted weight ranges, but the current standard is that anyone obese (greater than 100 pounds over ideal weight or a BMI of roughly 40-45) should not consider joint replacement.
What is the weight limit for anesthesia?
Obesity only increases perioperative risk significantly when BMI is ≥40 kg m−2, or when associated with significant comorbidities. Day-case surgery is usually appropriate if BMI is <50 kg m−2 and comorbidities are optimised.
Is knee replacement high risk surgery?
Is total knee replacement a high risk surgery? Generally, the risks are similar to those of other joint replacements, but specific factors can make a difference. Both joint replacement and total knee replacement surgeries share common risks such as infection, blood clots, and complications from anesthesia.
What is the fastest way to lose weight before surgery?
What is the fastest way to lose weight before surgery? A Very Low-Calorie Diet (VLCD) is a weight loss diet that typically involves consuming between 800 and 1200 calories per day. VLCDs are designed to promote rapid weight loss by creating a significant calorie deficit.
How bad does your knee have to be before surgery?
You may be offered knee replacement surgery if: you have severe pain, swelling and stiffness in your knee joint and your mobility is reduced. your knee pain is so severe that it interferes with your quality of life and sleep. everyday tasks, such as shopping or getting out of the bath, are difficult or impossible.
How much weight do you gain after knee surgery?
Sixty-six percent of the persons in the surgical group gained weight over the 2 years with an average weight gain of 6.4 kg, or 14 pounds, 2 years after their initial physical therapy visit.
Can you avoid knee replacement by losing weight?
This study suggests that a weight loss target >7.5% is required to reduce the risk of TKR in adults with overweight or obesity. Weight gain should be avoided as it increases the risk of THR.
Who is not a good candidate for knee surgery?
Patients who can walk on level ground without much difficulty, or who only have pain when going up and down stairs, are not good candidates for knee replacement surgery.
How much weight should I lose before knee replacement?
“It's unrealistic to expect an overweight patient to get down to a 35 BMI, as they would have to lose a significant amount of weight, but if they can just lose 30 to 40 pounds, we can proceed with the procedure,” explains Dr. Peter Hanson, an orthopedic surgeon affiliated with Sharp Grossmont Hospital.
What is the maximum BMI for surgery?
BMI 30-40 and undergoing an elective hip, knee or spinal procedure. Reduce their weight by at least 10% over 9 months. Reduce their weight to where their BMI is less than 30. BMI 30-40 and undergoing an elective non-urgent procedure other than hip, knee or spinal.
What age is best for knee replacement?
In the United States, currently, the average age to undergo knee arthroplasty is around 65 years old. Mostly knee replacement surgery is performed in elders with severe arthritis, while those under the age of 50 are considered young and are asked to wait until the age of 65.
Am I too fat for knee replacement?
Knee replacements can reduce pain and improve function, regardless of people's weight.
How long is bed rest after knee replacement?
How long should I stay in bed after knee replacement surgery? Typically, you should rest in bed for the first 24 to 48 hours. After that, light activity and movement are encouraged to promote healing and prevent complications.
What weight is unsafe for surgery?
Mortality rates were significantly lower in the 25 < BMI < 30 group and significantly higher in the BMI > 35 group than in those with normal BMI. Morbid obesity (BMI > 40) was associated with an increased perioperative mortality rate and more surgical complications.
Who Cannot go under anesthesia?
In addition to the elderly, people who have conditions such as heart disease (especially congestive heart failure), Parkinson's disease, or Alzheimer's disease, or who have had a stroke before are also more at risk. It's important to tell the anesthesiologist if you have any of these conditions.
Can you be too overweight for surgery?
Having obesity can increase the risk of a heart attack or heart failure or arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythm) during and after surgery. As with other medical conditions, it is important that the anaesthetic team knows if you have any of these illnesses and that your blood pressure is well managed before surgery.
Who should not get a knee replacement?
Patients whose pain only occurs when going up and down stairs, those who can walk on level ground without much difficulty, and those who are primarily troubled by a restricted range of motion with little or no pain are not good candidates for knee replacement.
Which is more difficult, hip or knee replacement?
While the knee joint can be replaced successfully, the technique to do so may be more complicated and generally requires a longer recovery after surgery than the hip. The difference in surgical complexity is one of the reasons hip replacement usually is recommended before knee replacement.
Will I ever be able to kneel on my knee replacement?
Patients who have had a total knee replacement are allowed to do kneeling only after six months if they are comfortable. Kneeling may never be completely comfortable but should become easier as the knee regains maximum potential.