GLP-1 Medications May Improve Outcomes After Midfoot Fusion Surgery | Research

The takeaway

Patients on GLP-1 receptor agonists showed comparable or improved outcomes following midfoot arthrodesis compared to non-users.

1:1 propensity matching
Patients matched on demographics and clinical factors to reduce bias

What the researchers found

Perioperative GLP-1 receptor agonist use was associated with comparable or improved outcomes following midfoot arthrodesis in propensity-matched patients.

Why it matters

As more surgical patients use GLP-1 medications, surgeons need to know whether to continue or stop these drugs around surgery. This data supports continued use during midfoot procedures.

How the study worked

Retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX US Collaborative Network with 1:1 propensity score matching for demographic and clinical variables.

What this study cannot tell us

Retrospective design limits causal conclusions. Database studies may have coding errors and cannot capture all confounding variables like compliance and exact timing of medication use.

How to read the evidence

Retrospective cohort with propensity matching — moderate evidence level, limited by observational design.

When this study was published

Published in 2026; reflects current GLP-1 RA prescribing patterns.

The bigger picture

This adds to growing evidence that GLP-1 receptor agonists may have bone-protective and anti-inflammatory effects beyond glucose control, which could benefit surgical recovery across multiple orthopedic procedures.

Questions still open

Do GLP-1 medications actively enhance bone healing or simply not impair it?
Should these findings extend to other types of orthopedic fusion procedures?

Common questions

Should I stop my GLP-1 medication before foot surgery?

This study suggests GLP-1 medications may not need to be discontinued for midfoot fusion surgery, but always consult your surgeon for personalized advice.

Do GLP-1 drugs help bones heal?

Emerging evidence suggests GLP-1 receptor agonists may support bone metabolism, though more research is needed to confirm direct bone-healing benefits.

Read the original research

The association of GLP-1 receptor agonists and outcomes following midfoot arthrodesis.

The Journal of foot and ankle surgery : official publication of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Bank, Nicholas C; Lauck, Bradley J; Dalola, Joseph; Duggan, Sam; Dyke, William B; Lalli, Trapper A. (2026). The association of GLP-1 receptor agonists and outcomes following midfoot arthrodesis.. The Journal of foot and ankle surgery : official publication of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jfas.2026.01.011