BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and clinical outcome of primary total knee arthroplasty in patients with diabetes mellitus.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Among the patients who were treated with total knee arthroplasty, there were 98 patients (116 knees) associated with diabetes. Osteoarthritis was diagnosed in 90 patients and rheumatoid arthritis was diagnosed in 8 patients. Various degrees of preoperative knee deformities were found in 82 knees. The average fasting blood glucose was 9.8±3.6 mmol/L at admission.

RESULTS: The clinical efficacy of TKA was satisfactory in patients with diabetes mellitus. Diabetic patients do not seem to have a significantly higher risk for infection and DVT after TKA. At the final follow-up time point, no prosthesis loosening was found and no revision was needed in any patients. The mean HSS scores increased and the excellent rate was 100%.

CONCLUSIONS: Using perioperative comprehensive assessment of heart and lung function, and by preventing infection and the formation of DVT, we achieved satisfactory early clinical efficacy of TKA in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee, Diabetes Mellitus, perioperative period