Macro partitioning
Peri-operative protein or amino acid supplementation does not significantly improve muscle strength (quadriceps or handgrip) or functional outcomes in total joint arthroplasty patients.
Do not expect protein supplements to restore your leg strength after surgery. The evidence shows they help keep muscle mass from shrinking, but they do not significantly improve strength or walking ability on their own. You must combine supplementation with physical therapy and exercise to regain strength.
However, effects on intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) and muscle thickness (MT) were inconsistent. Muscle strength outcomes varied, with no significant effect on quadriceps muscle strength (QMS) or handgrip strength (HGS).
Why this rating
Based on meta-analysis of 7 studies for QMS and 5 for HGS, though heterogeneity was very high for QMS.
Source
Peri-operative protein or amino acid supplementation for total joint arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Yashar Khani et al. · Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research · 2025
DOI 10.1186/s13018-025-05847-4
More from this paper
- Peri-operative essential amino acid (EAA) supplementation significantly reduces muscle atrophy in quadriceps and hamstring muscles following total joint arthroplasty.Good
- Intravenous amino acid infusion improves muscle protein synthesis and reduces perioperative blood loss in total joint arthroplasty patients.Moderate
Related findings · Macro partitioning
- Total daily protein intake of 1.6 g/kg/day is sufficient for maximizing resistance training-induced muscle gains, with an upper confidence interval of 2.2 g/kg/day.Strong
- Resistance exercise training combined with sufficient dietary protein intake acts synergistically to maximize skeletal muscle hypertrophy, with protein intake saturating around 1.6 g/kg/day for general populations and potentially requiring 2.0-2.2 g/kg/day for resistance-trained individuals.Strong
- Trans fats should be completely eliminated from the diet, as they increase LDL cholesterol, decrease HDL cholesterol, and are directly associated with increased coronary risk.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →