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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.
The Orthopedic Clinics of North America
|June 23, 2018
Summary
Obesity presents significant challenges in joint replacement surgery, increasing risks of infection and dislocation. Preoperative weight loss and realistic patient expectations are crucial for better outcomes in obese patients undergoing arthroplasty.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Public Health
- Bariatric Medicine
Background:
- Obesity is a widespread epidemic impacting healthcare systems globally.
- Obesity introduces unique complications and challenges for arthroplasty surgeons.
- Increased risks of infection, dislocation, and poorer outcomes are associated with obese patients undergoing joint replacement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the challenges posed by obesity in arthroplasty.
- To emphasize the importance of preoperative weight loss in obese patients.
- To stress the need for realistic patient counseling regarding outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on obesity and arthroplasty outcomes.
- Analysis of risks associated with obesity in total joint arthroplasty.
- Discussion of modifiable risk factors and patient counseling strategies.
Main Results:
- Obese patients face higher risks for surgical site infections and joint dislocations.
- Poorer implant survivorship and lower functional scores are observed postoperatively in obese individuals.
- Obesity is identified as a significant, yet modifiable, risk factor influencing arthroplasty success.
Conclusions:
- Preoperative weight loss should be strongly considered for obese patients undergoing arthroplasty.
- Comprehensive counseling is essential to set realistic expectations for obese patients post-surgery.
- Addressing obesity is key to improving outcomes and managing challenges in arthroplasty care.
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