HbA1c is widely used as a gatekeeping tool to delay or deny elective surgery in diabetic patients. Two new studies suggest it may be a poor indicator of actual surgical outcomes. Study 1: Cervical spine surgery (ACDF) In a study of 75 diabetic and prediabetic patients, HbA1c category had no significant impact on complication or revision rates at 30, 90, or 180 days postoperatively. Study 2: Foot and ankle surgery (the more striking finding) A second study examined 106 diabeti

GLP-1s appear to be more than weight loss drugs, potentially offering direct joint protection and dramatically reducing surgical risk. By the numbers  Recent research demonstrates significant clinical benefits across multiple measures: 40% of obese patients with known hip arthritis prescribed a GLP-1 showed a reduced risk of hip replacement within one year, based on data from 239,000+ patients. 25% of obese patients with known knee arthritis on a GLP-1 demonstrated a reduce