Posted on 04/06/2023 7:58:18 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Patients with low sodium levels before or after total knee or hip arthroplasty are more likely to experience adverse outcomes, reports a study.
Hyponatremia is an overlooked sign of trouble following total joint arthroplasty (TJA), according to Javad Parvizi, MD, FRCS. They write, "Efforts should be made to evaluate and, if possible, address hyponatremia in the preoperative period."
In 84.6% of patients, sodium levels were normal both preoperatively and postoperatively. Another 9.4% of patients had normal sodium levels preoperatively but had hyponatremia (serum sodium level <135 milliequivalents per liter) postoperatively; 2.1% had hyponatremia preoperatively but normal sodium levels postoperatively; and 3.8% had hyponatremia both preoperatively and postoperatively.
Postoperative hyponatremia was linked to increases in several adverse outcomes—particularly in patients who had low sodium levels both before and after TJA. Patients in this group spent more time in the hospital (average 6.4 days), were more likely to be discharged to a rehabilitation or nursing center rather than home (43%), and were more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 90 days (18%).
Twofold increase in complications with postoperative hyponatremia After adjustment, the risk of a complication was 2.1 times higher among patients who had hyponatremia postoperatively and 2.6 times higher among patients who had hyponatremia both preoperatively and postoperatively.
Patients with postoperative hyponatremia were also more likely to have non-home discharge (1.7 and 3.0 times higher among those with normal and low preoperative sodium, respectively) and spent more days in the hospital after surgery.
For patients with preoperative hyponatremia that normalized after TJA, outcomes were similar to those of patients who had normal sodium levels both preoperatively and postoperatively. Counterintuitively, patients with postoperative hyponatremia that was corrected after surgery but before hospital discharge had longer length of stays, and worse outcomes than those who did not have their sodium corrected.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Get tested and make sure your sodium levels are sufficient.
New knee or hip? What do you expect with one foot in the grave?
After years of having hypokalemia (low potassium level), in September my labs showed my potassium was normal but now I have slight hyponatremia (low sodium). I rarely salt my food or eat chips, although I do admit to licking the rim of every margarita I’ve ever ordered.
I had both hips replaced several years ago, and have been quite pleased with the results. Before the surgeries I had been on crutches for three years, and I could not separate my knees more than one inch without excruciating pain.
ive known several people who got hip replacements- some were walking very quickly with no pain while others still experienced pain years later- This might be why- possibly-
We’ve been told salt is bad.
Canned goods are labeled “low sodium” which is a cost savings to manufacturers.
Many doctors tell clients to limit salt from their intake.
Low sodium levels is dangerous outright.
Drink Brawndo, it’s what plants crave.
Add salt to food. Add what makes it taste best. Eat all you want, until you don’t want it anymore. Tongues are better than doctors
A low Sodium diet before/after knee surgery explains my need for nursing home care and months of pain.
I substituted Potassium for Sodium per Drs’ orders.
How many of these deficiencies are because folks were told to limit their salt intake by the “medical” profession?
This discovery might greatly improve joint replacement surgeries, hopefully anyways. Had a relative who had a hip done and ,might as well have not beczuse they are still in great pain. G9t another contemplating surgery, so I will let them know to make sure their sodium levels are good before surgery. Certainly can’t hurt to do so, and hopefully it will help avoid pain after.
Sorry to hear your did not go well. Chronic pain is hard to deal with.
Chronic pain is hard to deal with.”
It was “chronic” for about seven months. Years later. I’m now happy to have had the “Total-Replacement Knee Surgery”...
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