We examined 182 patients (257 knees) who had had a total knee
arthroplasty two to five six years earlier. The patients were grouped into
five weight classes. Eighteen patients (twenty-seven knees) were considered
moderately obese and twelve patients (twenty-seven knees), severely obese.
The results in all but four knees were rated excellent or good. One patient
needed a revision procedure for late infection, and the result was rated
poor. Three results were rated fair. There was no discernible difference in
the over-all scores among the five weight groups. However, 30 per cent of
the knees of the moderately and severely obese patients had patellofemoral
symptoms, whereas the incidence was 14 per cent in the other groups (p less
than 0.03). No clear-cut association was found between obesity and either
thrombophlebitis or complications related to the wound.