Clinical Outcomes of Methotrexate Usage in Postoperative Arthroplasty Patients: An Evidence Based Review

Jason Koppert, David Heikoop, Brent A Lanting Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine, Western University, London Health Sciences Center, London, Ontario, CanadaCorrespondence: Brent A Lanting, London Health Sciences Center, 339 Windermere Road, London, ON, N6A 5A5, Canada, Te...

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Main Authors: Koppert J, Heikoop D, Lanting BA
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2025-06-01
Series:Orthopedic Research and Reviews
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Online Access:https://www.dovepress.com/clinical-outcomes-of-methotrexate-usage-in-postoperative-arthroplasty--peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-ORR
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author Koppert J
Heikoop D
Lanting BA
author_facet Koppert J
Heikoop D
Lanting BA
author_sort Koppert J
collection DOAJ
description Jason Koppert, David Heikoop, Brent A Lanting Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine, Western University, London Health Sciences Center, London, Ontario, CanadaCorrespondence: Brent A Lanting, London Health Sciences Center, 339 Windermere Road, London, ON, N6A 5A5, Canada, Tel +15196833335, Email brent.lanting@lhsc.on.caAbstract: Patient dissatisfaction after joint arthroplasty remains common. Synovitis is known to contribute to patient dissatisfaction in patients with osteoarthritis. Methotrexate (MTX) is commonly used to prevent joint deterioration in rheumatoid arthritis, however it is much less common in the treatment of osteoarthritic patients. This review explores the effect of MTX on surgical outcomes in the general arthroplasty patient population. While most of the papers reviewed include patients with rheumatoid arthritis, we also review papers that include patients with osteoarthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Publications were queried in PUBMED and OVID MEDLINE using the following terms: arthroplasty, joint replacement, methotrexate, DMARDs, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis. After applying exclusion criteria, we identified 12 publications for this review. Our results showed no significant increase in revisions or long-term infections were reported in patients taking MTX. One study reported detriment to nerve function with postoperative MTX use. All other studies reported no difference in post-operative pain or function scores. One study investigating the effect of MTX on mobility in rheumatoid arthritis patients following arthroplasty showed improvement in function in patients taking MTX. Thus, based on this review, perioperative MTX use does not appear to worsen arthroplasty outcomes. This review should suffice as a building block for further investigations and trials into MTX’s utility for arthroplasty patients.Keywords: DMARD, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis, joint replacement
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spelling doaj-art-b28896b43e4b4f53bd24b751658a6a2e2025-08-20T02:22:15ZengDove Medical PressOrthopedic Research and Reviews1179-14622025-06-01Volume 17Issue 1269274104258Clinical Outcomes of Methotrexate Usage in Postoperative Arthroplasty Patients: An Evidence Based ReviewKoppert J0Heikoop D1Lanting BA2Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Schulich School of MedicineOrthopaedic SurgeryOrthopaedicsJason Koppert, David Heikoop, Brent A Lanting Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine, Western University, London Health Sciences Center, London, Ontario, CanadaCorrespondence: Brent A Lanting, London Health Sciences Center, 339 Windermere Road, London, ON, N6A 5A5, Canada, Tel +15196833335, Email brent.lanting@lhsc.on.caAbstract: Patient dissatisfaction after joint arthroplasty remains common. Synovitis is known to contribute to patient dissatisfaction in patients with osteoarthritis. Methotrexate (MTX) is commonly used to prevent joint deterioration in rheumatoid arthritis, however it is much less common in the treatment of osteoarthritic patients. This review explores the effect of MTX on surgical outcomes in the general arthroplasty patient population. While most of the papers reviewed include patients with rheumatoid arthritis, we also review papers that include patients with osteoarthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Publications were queried in PUBMED and OVID MEDLINE using the following terms: arthroplasty, joint replacement, methotrexate, DMARDs, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis. After applying exclusion criteria, we identified 12 publications for this review. Our results showed no significant increase in revisions or long-term infections were reported in patients taking MTX. One study reported detriment to nerve function with postoperative MTX use. All other studies reported no difference in post-operative pain or function scores. One study investigating the effect of MTX on mobility in rheumatoid arthritis patients following arthroplasty showed improvement in function in patients taking MTX. Thus, based on this review, perioperative MTX use does not appear to worsen arthroplasty outcomes. This review should suffice as a building block for further investigations and trials into MTX’s utility for arthroplasty patients.Keywords: DMARD, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis, joint replacementhttps://www.dovepress.com/clinical-outcomes-of-methotrexate-usage-in-postoperative-arthroplasty--peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-ORRDMARDosteoarthritisrheumatoid arthritisarthritisjoint replacement
spellingShingle Koppert J
Heikoop D
Lanting BA
Clinical Outcomes of Methotrexate Usage in Postoperative Arthroplasty Patients: An Evidence Based Review
Orthopedic Research and Reviews
DMARD
osteoarthritis
rheumatoid arthritis
arthritis
joint replacement
title Clinical Outcomes of Methotrexate Usage in Postoperative Arthroplasty Patients: An Evidence Based Review
title_full Clinical Outcomes of Methotrexate Usage in Postoperative Arthroplasty Patients: An Evidence Based Review
title_fullStr Clinical Outcomes of Methotrexate Usage in Postoperative Arthroplasty Patients: An Evidence Based Review
title_full_unstemmed Clinical Outcomes of Methotrexate Usage in Postoperative Arthroplasty Patients: An Evidence Based Review
title_short Clinical Outcomes of Methotrexate Usage in Postoperative Arthroplasty Patients: An Evidence Based Review
title_sort clinical outcomes of methotrexate usage in postoperative arthroplasty patients an evidence based review
topic DMARD
osteoarthritis
rheumatoid arthritis
arthritis
joint replacement
url https://www.dovepress.com/clinical-outcomes-of-methotrexate-usage-in-postoperative-arthroplasty--peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-ORR
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