December 2023

ORTHOPAEDICS

THE ROLE OF THE GUT MICROBIOME IN ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY-A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Featuring: Adam I. Edelstein, MD and Wellington K. Hsu, MD 
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Published in Musculoskeletal Medicine, the authors highlight the growing recognition of the gut microbiome’s significance in recent years. It discusses the substantial correlations discovered between gut health and various orthopedic disorders. The review also explores the potential of interventions aimed at the gut microbiome to prevent disease and enhance musculoskeletal outcomes. The authors provide a comprehensive overview of the literature available, discussing the connections between the gut microbiome and the pathogenesis and management of orthopedic disorders.

Recent findings from human and animal models have characterized the associations between gut microbiome dysregulation and diseases of the joints, spine, nerves, and muscle, as well as the physiology of bone formation and fracture healing. Interventions such as probiotic supplementation and fecal transplant have shown some promise in alleviating symptoms or slowing the progression of these disorders. The authors aim to facilitate discussions about optimizing patient outcomes in orthopedic surgery by providing a narrative review of the available evidence-based literature involving gut microbiome dysregulation and its effects on orthopedic disease. They believe that the gut microbiome is a viable target for interventions that can augment current management models and significantly improve outcomes for patients under the care of orthopedic surgeons.
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To read the full publication, visit Musculoskeletal Medicine.
Adam I. Edelstein, MD, the Clifford C. Raisbeck Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery.
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Wellington K. Hsu, MD, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurological Surgery
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