(P22-011-23) Peri-Operative Protein Intake Assessment in Total Knee and Hip Arthroplasty Patients – A Study Protocol

Objectives: Acknowledging the challenge of post-operative muscle mass maintenance in aging adults recovering from orthopedic surgery and the known association between energy balance, protein intake, and muscle mass, the study aims to:

1) Characterize energy status and protein intake in patients undergoing total hip (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

2) Investigate associations between energy status (i.e., positive or negative), protein intake (i.e., < 1.2 g/kg/day vs. ≥1.2 g/kg/day), and rehabilitative outcomes following THA and TKA.

3) Validate a protein screener developed by the research team using a three day food record.

We hypothesize that patients in energy balance and consuming ≥1.2 g protein/kg/day will have improved postoperative rehabilitative outcomes compared to those in negative energy balance and/or consuming < 1.2 g protein/kg/day.

Methods: Patients aged 50-70 with a BMI between 18.5-35 kg/m^2 having their first elective THA or TKA will be recruited for this study.

Procedures: Patients will be assessed once pre-operatively (i.e., diet assessments) and 3 times post-operatively (i.e., diet assessments and rehabilitative outcomes).

Diet assessments: A 3-day food record and the protein screener will be administered pre- and post-operatively to determine energy status and protein intake (Aim 1&2). The protein screener will be completed electronically and the food record as a hard copy. Food records will be analyzed to determine energy and protein intake (g/kg; Aim 1&2) and used to validate results from the protein screener (Aim 3).

Rehabilitative outcome measures (for Aim 2): Objective rehabilitative outcomes collected by physical therapists include: Timed-Up-and-Go test, 30-second Sit-to-Stand test, and passive and active hip or knee range of motion. Additional measures for TKA participants include quadricep girth and strength determined by handheld dynamometry.

Results: N/A – Study Protocol abstract submission. The study is currently enrolling participants and preliminary findings will be shared at the meeting.

Conclusions: N/A – Study Protocol abstract submission. This work will provide a foundation for the development of evidence-based rehabilitative nutrition guidelines for orthopedic patients undergoing elective joint replacement procedures.

Funding Sources: N/A – unfunded