How Protein Supplements May Help After Joint Replacement Surgery
Share
Joint replacement surgeries like total knee or hip replacements are becoming more common, especially as people live longer. But while these surgeries often relieve pain, they also bring challenges—particularly muscle loss and weakness during recovery. A new review explores whether protein or amino acid supplements can help patients bounce back faster and stronger.
Why Muscle Loss Happens After Surgery
When you have surgery, especially on major joints like the hip or knee, your body undergoes stress. Muscles may shrink or weaken due to reduced movement, anesthesia, or inflammation. For older adults, this is an even bigger problem because natural aging already reduces muscle mass and strength. If this muscle loss isn’t managed, it can lead to slower recovery, instability, and even falls.
Can Protein Help?
Protein is the building block of muscles. In sports and elderly care, protein and amino acid supplements are commonly used to help build and maintain muscle. But can they help surgical patients too?
To find out, researchers reviewed 19 studies involving over 900 people who had undergone joint replacements. These studies tested different types of supplements—from basic protein powders to essential amino acids (EAAs) and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). Some were given by mouth, others through intravenous (IV) infusions.
What the Review Found
Here are the key takeaways from the review:
- Muscle Preservation: Supplements significantly helped reduce muscle atrophy, especially in key areas like the quadriceps and hamstrings. These muscles are crucial for walking, standing, and balance.
- Better Results with EAAs: Essential amino acids were particularly effective in slowing muscle loss after surgery, especially when started early and given consistently.
- IV Supplements Help Too: Intravenous amino acid infusions (given during or after surgery) also improved muscle protein synthesis and even reduced blood loss during surgery.
- Mixed Results on Strength and Function: While some studies showed improved strength and better performance on walking tests, others didn’t see major differences. The type of supplement, dosage, and how long it was taken made a difference.
Timing and Quality Matter
One of the most important lessons from the review is that when and what kind of protein you take really matters. Short-term or low-dose supplementation didn’t do much. But taking the right amount (often 1.2 to 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight per day) over several weeks or months had better outcomes.
Quality also counts. Proteins rich in leucine, like whey protein, are particularly good at triggering muscle growth. Some studies showed better results with leucine-rich EAAs compared to regular protein powders.
Who Might Benefit Most?
This approach is especially helpful for:
- Older adults undergoing joint replacement, who naturally have less muscle.
- Patients at risk of malnutrition, which is surprisingly common after surgery.
- Those recovering slowly or showing early signs of muscle loss.
Before starting any supplement, though, it’s best to consult a doctor or nutritionist—especially if you have kidney issues or other health conditions.
Practical Tips for Patients
If you or a loved one is planning a hip or knee replacement, consider these tips:
- Ask about your protein needs. A nutrition consult before surgery can help.
- Start early. Protein supplements may be most effective if started before or immediately after surgery.
- Stick with it. Short-term use may not be enough. Aim for several weeks of consistent supplementation.
- Pair with exercise. Movement and rehab exercises make protein even more effective.
The Bottom Line
Protein and amino acid supplements show real promise in helping patients recover better after joint surgery. They can reduce muscle loss, support strength, and maybe even shorten recovery time—especially when started early, taken long enough, and paired with physical therapy.
This review, published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research (2025), offers hope for a simple, safe way to improve outcomes after hip and knee replacements. As always, personalized advice from a healthcare provider is key, but the evidence is strong: protein isn’t just for athletes—it might be just what the body needs after surgery, too.