The Association between prior arthroplasty and Paraspinal Muscle Degeneration in patients undergoing elective lumbar surgery

Purpose Spinal and lower extremity degeneration often causes pain and disability. Lower extremity osteoarthritis, eventually leading to total knee- (TKA) and -hip arthroplasty (THA), can alter posture through compensatory mechanisms, potentially causing spinal misalignment and paraspinal muscle (PM) atrophy. This study aims to evaluate the association between prior THA or TKA and PM-degeneration in patients undergoing elective lumbar surgery for degenerative conditions. Methods A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing lumbar surgery for degenerative conditions was conducted. Patients were categorized based on prior THA, TKA, or both. Quantitative analysis of functional cross-sectional area (fCSA) and fat infiltration (FI) of psoas, multifidus (MF), and erector spinae (ES) muscles at L4-level was performed using T2-weighted MRI images. The association between the FI and fCSA of the PM and prior arthroplasty was investigated. Differences were assessed using ANOVA and multivariable linear regression. Results Overall, 584 patients (60% female, 64 +/- 12 years) were included. 66 patients (11%) had prior TKA, 36 patients (6%) THA, and 15 patients (3%) both TKA and THA. Patients with arthroplasty were mostly female (57%) and notably older (p < 0.001). The FI of the MF and the ES was significantly higher in the arthroplasty-group (both p < 0.001). Patients with prior TKA showed significantly higher FI (Est = 4.3%, p = 0.013) and lower fCSA (Est=-0.9 cm2, p = 0.012) in the MF compared to the non-arthroplasty-group. Conclusion This study demonstrates a significant lower fCSA and higher FI in the MF among individuals with prior TKA. This highlights the complex knee-spine relationship and how these structures interact with each other.