Improving nutrition for patients undergoing joint replacement surgery

Oral Nutritional Optimization in Total Joint Arthroplasty

Not applicable Interventional NYU Langone Health · NCT04210284

This study tests if giving extra nutrition to patients who are malnourished before joint replacement surgery can help them recover better and improve their overall health.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment72 (estimated)
Ages55 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorNYU Langone Health Academic / other
Locations2 sites (New York, New York and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04210284 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the impact of nutritional interventions on patients with malnutrition who are scheduled for total joint arthroplasty. It aims to assess how oral nutritional supplementation can affect hematological markers and overall outcomes in these patients. By screening for malnutrition and providing targeted nutritional support, the study seeks to optimize pre-operative care and improve recovery after surgery. This is a novel approach, as no previous randomized control study has focused on this aspect in total joint arthroplasty patients.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients aged 55 to 95 who are scheduled for elective primary total hip or knee arthroplasty and meet specific laboratory criteria for malnutrition.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of septic arthritis, allergies to oral supplementation, or those unable to consume oral supplements will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance recovery and outcomes for malnourished patients undergoing joint replacement surgery.

How similar studies have performed: This approach is novel and has not been previously tested in randomized control studies for total joint arthroplasty patients.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patient are current candidates for elective primary total hip and total knee arthroplasty
2. Patients ≥55 years of age but ≤ 95
3. Patients who meet at least one of the following three laboratory criteria for malnutrition:

TSerum Albumin: ≤3.5 mg/dl Pre-Albumin: \<15 mg/dl Transferrin: \<200 mg/dl

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Previous history of septic arthritis
2. Allergy to oral supplementation
3. Inability to consume oral supplementation
4. Protein malabsorption syndromes
5. Eating disorders
6. End stage renal and hepatic disease
7. Revision surgery, non-elective surgery, hemiarthroplasty, and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

Where this trial is running

New York, New York and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Osteoarthritis
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.