Correlation relationships between pain intensity, functional recovery of the knee joint, and clinical-laboratory characteristics in obese patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15587/2519-4798.2026.363102

Keywords:

isolated anterior cruciate ligament injury, obesity, body mass index, pain intensity, visual analogue scale, functional recovery of the knee joint, Lysholm score

Abstract

Aim. To assess the impact of obesity and clinical-anamnestic characteristics of patients with isolated ACL injury on pain intensity and functional status of the knee joint in the early postoperative period.

Materials and methods. A prospective single-center study was conducted involving 38 patients aged 19–67 years with isolated anterior cruciate ligament injury and obesity, defined as body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m². Correlation relationships between pain intensity according to the Visual Analog Scale, knee functional status according to the Lysholm score, and clinical-anamnestic, anthropometric, laboratory, and instrumental characteristics were analyzed. Pain intensity and functional status were assessed at four time points: before surgery, 1 week, 1 month, and 2 months after reconstruction.

Results. In obese patients, preoperative pain intensity according to the VAS showed statistically significant positive correlations with BMI (r = 0.439; p = 0.006), very low-density lipoproteins (r = 0.575; p = 0.001), and total cholesterol (r = 0.350; p = 0.031), and negative correlations with activated partial thromboplastin time (r = –0.385; p = 0.017) and high-density lipoproteins (r = –0.367; p = 0.024). At 1 week, 1 month, and 2 months, VAS pain scores remained significantly associated mainly with BMI (r = 0.341–0.462; p<0.05), and at 2 months also with systolic blood pressure (r = 0.397; p = 0.014). Lysholm scores before surgery negatively correlated with BMI (r = –0.414; p = 0.010) and triglycerides (r = –0.342; p = 0.036). At 1 week and 1 month after arthroscopic reconstruction, Lysholm scores remained associated with BMI (r = –0.550 and –0.503; p ≤ 0.001) and triglycerides (r = –0.454 and –0.402; p<0.05).

Conclusions. Obesity and an unfavorable metabolic profile are associated with higher pain intensity and slower functional recovery of the knee joint after ACL reconstruction. These findings highlight the need for a personalized approach to analgesia and rehabilitation in overweight patients undergoing arthroscopic ACL reconstruction

Author Biography

Andrii Drokin, Kharkiv National Medical University

PhD Student

Department of Emergency and Emergency Care, Orthopedics, Traumatology and Prosthetics

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Correlation relationships between pain intensity, functional recovery of the knee joint, and clinical-laboratory characteristics in obese patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

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Published

2026-05-29

How to Cite

Drokin, A. (2026). Correlation relationships between pain intensity, functional recovery of the knee joint, and clinical-laboratory characteristics in obese patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. ScienceRise: Medical Science, (1 (66), 35–40. https://doi.org/10.15587/2519-4798.2026.363102

Issue

No. 1 (66) (2026)

Section

Medical Science

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