Retrospective Evaluation of the Impact of Menopausal Status on the Recovery of Orthopedic Injuries

Abstract

Background: Oestrogen levels diminish throughout menopause, affecting bone health and other biological processes. Oestrogen levels diminish during menopause, which increases bone resorption, lowers bone density, and may slow orthopaedic injury healing. To establish effective treatment regimens for postmenopausal women, one must understand how menopause affects orthopaedic injury healing.

Methods: MGM Medical College and LSK Hospital Kishanganj researchers conducted this retrospective cohort analysis. The study included 180 women with damaged bones, ligaments, and joint replacements conducted between April 2021 to March 2022. Participants were divided into premenopausal and postmenopausal groups by menopause status. Medical record data on functional outcomes, recovery timelines, and complication rates was analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Results: Study reveals postmenopausal women recover at 14.3 weeks, much longer than premenopausal women (10.2 weeks, p < 0.01). Additionally, postmenopausal women had a 35% higher complication rate than premenopausal women (20%, p < 0.05). The Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that postmenopausal women recovered slower and had a reduced likelihood of full recovery by 16 weeks.

Conclusion: Orthopaedic injuries take longer and are harder to heal for postmenopausal women. These findings suggest that postmenopausal women need osteoporosis screening, tailored medications, and customised rehabilitation.