Manoj Β Prasad
Popular new weight loss drug semaglutide allows more patients to safely undergo hip replacement surgeryome text
2 studies find semaglutide doesn't raise surgical risks; may lower joint infections & hospital readmission
Semaglutide approved for weight loss & diabetes; works by dulling appetite & controlling blood sugar
Obesity long linked to more complications after hip surgery like infections; doctors encourage weight loss first
But joint pain makes pre-surgery weight loss hard; semaglutide offers new medical path to shedding pound
Orthopedic experts "reassured" and "excited" by findings; see "opportunity" for more patients to access surgery
Still early evidence; further research with more patients needed to confirm initial positive impact
If borne out, "skinny drug" could prove "life changing" for arthritis sufferers previously denied hip replacement
May also lead to better long-term implant survival rates; more data required on durability