Comparative Analysis of Postoperative Inflammatory Response after Total Knee Arthroplasty (Unilateral and Bilateral) Between Indian and International Populations: A PRISMA 2020 Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This systematic review aims to quantify and compare postoperative inflammatory marker trajectories following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in Indian versus international populations. The review will synthesize quantitative data on C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), focusing on peak values, timing of peaks, and normalization kinetics after unilateral and bilateral procedures. The review further aims to examine the clinical implications of population-specific inflammatory kinetics for postoperative pain management, infection surveillance, and rehabilitation progression. A PRISMA 2020 compliant methodology will be followed, with meta-analysis conducted using random-effects models.