Do GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs Affect Bone Healing After Leg Fracture Surgery?
Large retrospective study of GLP-1 RA users undergoing leg fracture surgery found clinical outcomes with two-year follow-up, though the effects on fracture healing remain controversial.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Large propensity-matched retrospective analysis compared perioperative GLP-1 RA users with non-users following lower extremity fracture fixation with two-year follow-up.
Key Numbers
275,970 patients analyzed. 6,125 propensity-matched pairs. Matched on age, sex, tobacco, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, lung disease, and BMI. Higher nonunion rate in GLP-1 group at 1 year.
How They Did This
Retrospective propensity-matched cohort study from a large multicenter database, comparing GLP-1 RA users (within one year of surgery) versus non-users after lower extremity fracture fixation.
Why This Research Matters
Millions of GLP-1 RA users may need fracture surgery. Knowing whether these drugs impair or help bone healing is critical for surgical planning and medication management decisions.
The Bigger Picture
This is one of the largest studies addressing the GLP-1 RA and bone health question, which is increasingly relevant as these drugs are prescribed to a broader population that includes elderly and fracture-prone patients.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Retrospective design — cannot prove causation. GLP-1 RA users may differ from non-users in ways not captured by propensity matching. Specific fracture types and healing metrics vary.
Questions This Raises
- ?Should GLP-1 RAs be paused before fracture surgery?
- ?Do the potential bone-protective effects of weight loss counterbalance any direct drug effects on bone healing?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 275,970 patients matched One of the largest studies examining GLP-1 RA effects on fracture healing outcomes
- Evidence Grade:
- Large retrospective cohort study with propensity matching — strong for observational data but cannot replace a randomized trial for establishing causation.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025, addressing a timely concern as GLP-1 RA prescribing continues to expand rapidly.
- Original Title:
- Perioperative glucagon-like Peptide-1 receptor agonist use and clinical outcomes following lower extremity fracture fixation: A large retrospective cohort study with two year follow up.
- Published In:
- Injury, 56(11), 112746 (2025)
- Authors:
- Pereira, Daniel E, Tummala, Sri, Mittal, Mehul M, Obey, Mitchel, Berkes, Marschall B, McAndrew, Christopher M, Wilson, Jenna L
- Database ID:
- RPEP-13020
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Do GLP-1 drugs weaken bones?
The evidence is controversial. Some studies suggest GLP-1 RAs may have bone-protective effects, while others raise concerns about fracture healing. This large study provides important real-world data on actual surgical outcomes.
Should I stop my GLP-1 medication before fracture surgery?
This is a decision to make with your orthopedic surgeon and endocrinologist based on the latest evidence. This study helps inform that discussion by providing outcome data from a large patient population.
Read More on RethinkPeptides
Cite This Study
https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-13020APA
Pereira, Daniel E; Tummala, Sri; Mittal, Mehul M; Obey, Mitchel; Berkes, Marschall B; McAndrew, Christopher M; Wilson, Jenna L. (2025). Perioperative glucagon-like Peptide-1 receptor agonist use and clinical outcomes following lower extremity fracture fixation: A large retrospective cohort study with two year follow up.. Injury, 56(11), 112746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2025.112746
MLA
Pereira, Daniel E, et al. "Perioperative glucagon-like Peptide-1 receptor agonist use and clinical outcomes following lower extremity fracture fixation: A large retrospective cohort study with two year follow up.." Injury, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2025.112746
RethinkPeptides
RethinkPeptides Research Database. "Perioperative glucagon-like Peptide-1 receptor agonist use a..." RPEP-13020. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/pereira-2025-perioperative-glucagonlike-peptide1-receptor
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.