Intake of a carbohydrate-containing fluid is reported to improve insulin-like growth factor levels , reduce hunger , nausea , and length of stay , and attenuate the decrease in whole-body insulin sensitivity and endogenous glucose release .
Amino acid supplementation is reported to reduce muscle atrophy and accelerate return of functional mobility .
There is limited evidence for nutritional supplementation in THR and TKR pathways ; however , the low risk profile and potential benefits to adjunctive treatment methods , such as exercise programs , suggest nutritional supplements may have a role .
Optimizing nutritional status pre-operatively may help manage the surgical stress response , with a particular benefit for undernourished , frail , or elderly individuals
Nutritional supplements can influence outcomes for individuals undergoing major surgery , particularly in older persons whose functional reserve is limited .
Accelerating recovery from total hip replacement ( THR ) and total knee replacement ( TKR ) may offer significant benefits .
Therefore , we explored the role of nutritional supplements in improving recovery following THR and TKR .
Essential amino acid supplementation in patients following total knee arthroplasty.
BACKGROUND By the year 2030 , 3.48 million older U.S. adults are projected to undergo total knee arthroplasty ( TKA ) . Following this surgery , considerable muscle atrophy occurs , result ing in decreased strength and impaired functional mobility . Essential amino acids ( EAAs ) have been shown to attenuate muscle loss during periods of reduced activity and may be beneficial for TKA patients . METHODS We used a double-blind , placebo-controlled , r and omized clinical trial with 28 older adults undergoing TKA . Patients were r and omized to ingest either 20 g of EAAs ( n = 16 ) or placebo ( n = 12 ) twice daily between meals for 1 week before and 2 weeks after TKA . At baseline , 2 weeks , and 6 weeks after TKA , an MRI was performed to determine mid-thigh muscle and adipose tissue volume . Muscle strength and functional mobility were also measured at these times . RESULTS TKA patients receiving placebo exhibited greater quadriceps muscle atrophy , with a -14.3 ± 3.6 % change from baseline to 2 weeks after surgery compared with -3.4 ± 3.1 % for the EAA group ( F = 5.16 , P = 0.036 ) and a -18.4 ± 2.3 % change from baseline to 6 weeks after surgery for placebo versus -6.2 ± 2.2 % for the EAA group ( F = 14.14 , P = 0.001 ) . EAAs also attenuated atrophy in the nonoperated quadriceps and in the hamstring and adductor muscles of both extremities . The EAA group performed better at 2 and 6 weeks after surgery on functional mobility tests ( all P < 0.05 ) . Change in quadriceps muscle atrophy was significantly associated with change in functional mobility ( F = 5.78 , P = 0.021 ) . CONCLUSION EAA treatment attenuated muscle atrophy and accelerated the return of functional mobility in older adults following TKA . TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical trials.gov NCT00760383
Intake of a carbohydrate-containing fluid is reported to improve insulin-like growth factor levels , reduce hunger , nausea , and length of stay , and attenuate the decrease in whole-body insulin sensitivity and endogenous glucose release .
Amino acid supplementation is reported to reduce muscle atrophy and accelerate return of functional mobility .
There is limited evidence for nutritional supplementation in THR and TKR pathways ; however , the low risk profile and potential benefits to adjunctive treatment methods , such as exercise programs , suggest nutritional supplements may have a role .
Optimizing nutritional status pre-operatively may help manage the surgical stress response , with a particular benefit for undernourished , frail , or elderly individuals
Nutritional supplements can influence outcomes for individuals undergoing major surgery , particularly in older persons whose functional reserve is limited .
Accelerating recovery from total hip replacement ( THR ) and total knee replacement ( TKR ) may offer significant benefits .
Therefore , we explored the role of nutritional supplements in improving recovery following THR and TKR .