Impact of Nutritional Status on Postoperative Recovery Outcomes in Orthopedic Surgery Patients

Abstract

Orthopedic surgeries such as total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, and fracture fixation are associated with substantial physiological stress, inflammatory responses, and metabolic demands that directly influence recovery outcomes. Nutritional status is increasingly recognized as a modifiable risk factor affecting postoperative complications, wound healing, infection rates, functional recovery, and length of hospital stay. This thesis investigates the impact of nutritional status on postoperative recovery outcomes among orthopedic surgery patients using a structural equation modeling approach through Smart PLS. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed with data collected from 250 orthopedic patients admitted to tertiary care hospitals. Nutritional status was assessed using body mass index, serum albumin levels, and the Mini Nutritional Assessment tool. Postoperative recovery outcomes were measured through infection incidence, wound healing rate, length of hospital stay, pain score reduction, and early mobilization indicators. was utilized to examine the direct and indirect relationships between nutritional status and recovery outcomes while controlling for age and comorbidities. Results demonstrated a significant positive relationship between adequate nutritional status and improved postoperative recovery outcomes. Patients with better preoperative nutritional profiles experienced shorter hospital stays, reduced complication rates, and faster functional recovery. The findings highlight the importance of early nutritional screening and targeted nutritional interventions in orthopedic settings. The study concludes that optimizing nutritional status before and after surgery can significantly enhance patient recovery trajectories and reduce healthcare burden.