Significant pain relief following gastric bypass surgery
Main Category: Arthritis / RheumatologyArticle Date: 22 Oct 2004 - 0:00 PDT
'Significant pain relief following gastric bypass surgery'
| Patient / Public: | ![]() |
|
| Healthcare Prof: | ![]() |
|
| Article opinions: | 1 posts |
Cleveland researchers study musculoskeletal pain following significant weight loss -
Over 18 months, researchers at University Hospitals of Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University studied the frequency and prevalence of musculoskeletal (MSK) complaints in obese patients before and after undergoing gastric bypass surgery. The researchers concluded that the complaints, which involved joint and tendon pain, decreased significantly following surgery and initial weight loss, even in non-weight bearing areas of the body.
The comprehensive review of MSK symptoms (neck, shoulder, spine, hip, knee, foot pain, fibromyalgia syndrome, etc.) before and after weight loss studied 54 patients recruited from University Hospitals of Cleveland's Bariatric Surgery Program, according to Michele Hooper, MD, the study's principal investigator and co-director of the Arthritis Translational Research Program at University Hospitals of Cleveland.
Dr. Hooper's findings, which will be presented in San Antonio at the American College of Rheumatology's annual meeting on October 21, 2004, demonstrated that there was decrease of 52% in the number of sites of musculoskeletal complaints and a 92% reduction in fibromyalgia syndrome pain (widespread pain and tenderness in muscles and soft tissue) between 6-12 months after surgery. There was significant improvement of function and quality life as well.
"This was a highly motivated group of individuals who made major lifestyle changes in addition to their surgery," says Dr. Hooper "Patients also had to adhere to the extensive multi-disciplinary preoperative evaluation that is required by University Hospital's Bariatric Surgery Program."
Gastric bypass surgery involves stapling the upper stomach to create a small pouch that is then attached to the small intestine, reducing the capacity of the stomach, resulting in dramatic weight loss.
Of the 54 patients who were studied, there were 52 women and two men ranging in age from 35-53 years. For the female participants, the mean weight before surgery was 292 pounds. Many patients suffered from the following comorbid conditions before surgery: hypertension, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, asthma, bladder incontinence and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), a leading outcome measure of osteoarthritis-related disabilities in the hip and knee; as well as the London Fibromyalgia Epidemiology Study Screening (LFESSQ), an index that test pain and fatigue criteria, Dr. Hooper and colleagues found that there was a dramatic resolution of fibromyalgia pain after surgery, which may be due to a decrease in the above stated comorbid syndromes and an increase in physical activity. As weight loss continues, these benefits may improve further.
"The study clearly showed the benefit of weight loss in terms of pain, function and quality of life. We are now trying to understand why certain conditions such as knee osteoarthritis are so much more common than hip or ankle arthritis in people who are overweight," says Dr. Hooper.
Contact: Alison Bibb
alison.bibb@uhhs.com
216-844-3825
University Hospitals of Cleveland
Visit our arthritis / rheumatology section for the latest news on this subject.
MLA
24 May. 2012. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/15308.php>
APA
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/15308.php.
Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.
Visitor Opinions (latest shown first)
Reduction In Pain After Bariatric Surgery
posted by Annette Fowler on 8 Feb 2010 at 4:25 pmI am morbidly obese and am living with Fibromyalgia as well as Osteoarthritis, among Sleep Apnea and GERD... All aggravated and no doubt caused, (not counting the Fibro) by my obesity. I have been wondering about the pain after surgery that would be due TO the surgery as I have had hernia repair in November of 2008 and am still suffering, on most days, extreme pain as a result of it.
I have since made up my mind that it will be worth the surgery related pain to have less weight to "carry around" and significantly improve my overall health.. This article has "sealed the deal" for me, so-to-speak.. Thank you so much for that!!!!
Add Your Opinion On This Article
'Significant pain relief following gastric bypass surgery'Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.
If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.
All opinions are moderated before being included (to stop spam)
Contact Our News Editors
For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.
![]()
Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:
Note: Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. For more information, please read our terms and conditions.





