We can learn a lot about our bodies and our overall health with the assistance of a simple blood test, but could our blood actually predict how quickly we’ll recover following a hip replacement procedure? According to new research out of Stanford, our blood may hold information about a person’s expected recovery after hip replacement surgery.
The current methodology for evaluating candidates prior to hip replacement surgery involves conducting a physical exam, reviewing their medical history and asking patients about their health and their daily habits. However, some of that information can be subjective or outright false, especially if patients aren’t telling their physician the whole truth about their lifestyle habits. Researchers at Stanford wondered if blood could help provide less subjective information to the equation.
“We needed to find a more reliable, data-driven method to anticipate the precise needs of patients as they get back on their feet after surgery,” said Dr. Nima Aghaeepour, an assistant professor of anesthesiology, perioperative and pain medicine.
Using Blood As A Tool In Hip Replacement
For the study, researchers invited 49 hip replacement patients between the ages of 57 and 68 to wear an activity-tracking smartwatch before and after their surgical procedure. Patients also underwent a blood draw before surgery so that cell activity and subtype could be analyzed. These samples would provide information about protein levels and immune function prior to surgery, and they would be compared to how patients recovered following their hip replacement procedure.
By looking at the bloodwork and analyzing smartwatch data, researchers were able to develop an algorithm that could accurately predict how swiftly patients would get back on their feet following hip replacement surgery. Overall, those whose blood tests showed the strongest immune function prior to surgery recovered 34 percent faster than those with weaker immune systems. Although the data is preliminary and only applies to patients around the age of 60, researchers believe similar results will be seen in patients of different ages.
“My expectation is that there will still be a strong connection between the immune system and recovery, but exactly what that connection will be is still to be determined,” Dr. Aghaeepour said.
So while medical experts are still working to confirm their findings and figure out the best way to apply it to benefit the most people, researchers are hopeful their data can help shape patient care ahead of hip replacement surgery. The hope is that blood tests will be able to shine a light on what patients can do both before and after surgery to boost cell health and improve their healing after surgery through interventions like a special diet or exercise routine. In the future, they hope that blood tests can help showcase how a patient can have the smoothest and fastest recovery from hip replacement surgery.
While we’re not quite there yet via a blood test, if you’d like to connect with a surgeon who will do everything in their power to help you have a faster and fuller recovery after your hip replacement procedure, reach out to Dr. Botero’s office today.
