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Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Published on: July 5, 2011
Obesity: The Modifiable Risk Factor in Total Joint Arthroplasty
Jared S Bookman1, Ran Schwarzkopf1, Parthiv Rathod1
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, 301 East 17th Street, Suite 1402, New York, NY 10003, USA.
Abstract:
Obesity is an epidemic in the health care system. Obesity poses several challenges and raises unique issues for the arthroplasty surgeon. Obese patients are at higher risk for infection and dislocation. Additionally, obese patients have poorer implant survivorship and functional scores postoperatively. Obesity is a modifiable risk factor and weight loss preoperatively should be strongly considered. Obese patients must be counseled so that they have realistic expectations after total joint arthroplasty.
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