Gut Microbiome in Orthopaedics: Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty
Key facts
- Where
- London, CanadaSee the site
Where in Canada
- University HospitalLondon, CanadaContact: Lyndsay Somerville, PhDTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute OR Lawson Research Institute of St. Joseph's
- Trial code
- NCT06951477
- Record updated
- 22 September 2026
- Original description
Many patients who receive knee replacement surgery must return for a revision (or repeat) surgery due to ongoing pain, stiffness, infection, or implant loosening. The role of the gut microbiome-the collection of bacteria and other microbes within the human gastrointestinal tract-is just beginning to be recognized in orthopaedics. The gut microbiome has been found to affect the immune response and bone regulation, potentially contributing to infection or loosening after total joint replacement. Antibiotics are regularly used in orthopaedic surgery to reduce the risk of infection, yet they might also harm gut microbiota and reduce their potentially beneficial effects. As a result, understanding the relationship between gut microbiota and surgical outcomes has become increasingly important. Therefore, this study aims to determine if there are differences in gut microbiota composition between patients with well-functioning knee replacements and those requiring revision knee replacements. Additional study aims include assessing inflammation, implant loosening, metal ion levels, and circulating bacteria in blood or tissue between well-functioning or failed knee replacements.Read full original descriptionShow less
Gut Microbiome in Orthopaedics: Investigating the Role of Gut Microbiome Composition in Total Knee Arthroplasty Failure
Many patients who receive knee replacement surgery must return for a revision (or repeat) surgery due to ongoing pain, stiffness, infection, or implant loosening. The role of the gut microbiome-the collection of bacteria and other microbes within the human gastrointestinal tract-is just beginning to be recognized in orthopaedics. The gut microbiome has been found to affect the immune response and bone regulation, potentially contributing to infection or loosening after total joint replacement. Antibiotics are regularly used in orthopaedic surgery to reduce the risk of infection, yet they might also harm gut microbiota and reduce their potentially beneficial effects. As a result, understanding the relationship between gut microbiota and surgical outcomes has become increasingly important. Therefore, this study aims to determine if there are differences in gut microbiota composition between patients with well-functioning knee replacements and those requiring revision knee replacements. Additional study aims include assessing inflammation, implant loosening, metal ion levels, and circulating bacteria in blood or tissue between well-functioning or failed knee replacements.
Inclusion: Scheduled to undergo a revision TKA; Willing and able to comply with follow-up requirements; Ability to provide informed consent; Ability to read, write, and speak English.
Exclusion: Less than 3 months post-operation from primary surgery; Scheduled for DAIR (debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention) revision surgery; Pregnancy; Diagnosis of periprosthetic fracture; Scheduled for stage 2 PJI revision.