GLP-1s in Hip and Knee Arthroplasty
Does the Preoperative Use of GLP-1 Agonists Change Outcomes in Patients Waiting for Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A Pilot Randomized Control Trial
1 other identifier
interventional
100
1 country
1
Brief Summary
The number of people living with hip and knee arthritis continues to grow. A large amount of these people are also overweight and diagnosed with obesity. Obesity leads to more stress on hip and knee joints, causing them to wear out sooner. This process is called arthritis. When arthritis gets worse, the joints often need to be replaced due to pain and poor mobility. Very heavy patients often have other health problems that can impair the ability to manage arthritis. Excess weight and health problems can change the way heavy patients recover after surgery, leading to a greater risk of complications. A new type of medicine might be able to improve how obese patients manage their hip and knee pain, as well as improve outcomes after surgery. This type of medicine is called a GLP-1. Investigators will study 2 groups, with one receiving the medicine while the other does not. The goal is to understand how these medications work in the time leading up to surgery and in the early postoperative recovery phase. If these medications help, it may improve the care of high risk obese patients.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P50-P75 for phase_4
Started Oct 2026
Typical duration for phase_4
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
Click on a node to explore related trials.
Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
August 3, 2026
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
August 10, 2026
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
October 1, 2026
ExpectedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
June 1, 2028
Study Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
December 1, 2028
August 10, 2026
July 1, 2026
1.7 years
August 3, 2026
August 7, 2026
Conditions
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Incidence of Wound Complication after Joint Arthroplasty
To determine whether the preoperative administration of a GLP-1 receptor agonist impacts the incidence of wound complications in patients with class 3 or 4 obesity that require either antibiotics, in clinic debridement or a return to the operating room within 90 days of THA or TKA (Yes/No)
90 days
Secondary Outcomes (10)
Body weight
6 months
Body composition analysis by DEXA
6 months
Gait
1 year
Patient reported outcome measures - Joint function
1 year
Patient reported outcome measure - Quality of Life
1 year
- +5 more secondary outcomes
Other Outcomes (2)
Return to work
1 year
Surgery Delayed / Cancelled
6 months
Study Arms (2)
Placebo Medication
PLACEBO COMPARATORPatients administered placebo medication for at least 6 months preoperatively
Study medication group
EXPERIMENTALPatients receive at least 6 months of study group medication preoperatively
Interventions
At least 6 months of preoperative semaglutide and structured behavioural modification
Structured behavioural modification - diet, exercise, counselling and placebo medication
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Patients with a diagnosis of hip or knee arthritis and are a deemed candidate for THA or TKA by an orthopaedic surgeon
- Diagnosis of BMI 35+ with an obesity-related health condition (Coronary vascular disease, previous stroke, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, asthma) or BMI 40+
- Patients must be between 18-90 years of age
- Able to provide informed consent
You may not qualify if:
- Cognitive impairment that precludes study participation and compliance
- Patients unwilling to undergo smoking cessation prior to surgery
- Patients currently taking biologic medications that suppress the immune system
- Patients currently taking GLP-1 medications
- Patients with a contraindication to GLP-1 medication
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
- Nova Scotia Health Authoritylead
- Orthopaedic Innovation Centrecollaborator
- Dalhousie Universitycollaborator
- University of Manitobacollaborator
Study Sites (1)
Nova Scotia Health
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, B2Y 2N5, Canada
Related Publications (1)
Lavu MS, Porto JR, Hecht CJ 2nd, Kaelber DC, Sculco PK, Heckmann ND, Kamath AF. The Five-Year Incidence of Progression to Osteoarthritis and Total Joint Arthroplasty in Patients Prescribed Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists. J Arthroplasty. 2024 Oct;39(10):2433-2439.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2024.06.008. Epub 2024 Jun 8.
PMID: 38857711BACKGROUND
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Interventions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- phase 4
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- DOUBLE
- Who Masked
- PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Orthopaedic Surgeon, MD, MSc, FRCSC, FAAOS
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
August 3, 2026
First Posted
August 10, 2026
Study Start (Estimated)
October 1, 2026
Primary Completion (Estimated)
June 1, 2028
Study Completion (Estimated)
December 1, 2028
Last Updated
August 10, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-07
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will share
- Shared Documents
- STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP
- Time Frame
- Start until end of trial
- Access Criteria
- Eligible researchers from academic institutions
Protocol, analysis can be shared upon request - no patient data will be shared.