Patient Obesity: A Growing Concern of Successful Total Knee Arthroplasty
The study reviews the outcome of total knee arthroplasty in obese patients. Knee arthroplasty in obese patients is a more technically challenging procedure. It carries a higher risk of postoperative infection, and the final functional score may not be as good as that of the nonobese patient. However, the pain relief and improvement in knee function are significant, and implant survival is equivalent to nonobese patients. Knee arthroplasty should not be denied to obese patients despite the concerns, as the overall improvement of quality of life is highly significant.
Specialist Orthopedic Groups, Mater Clinic, North Sydney, NSW, Australia
Address reprint requests to William L. Walter, MBBS, FRACS, PhD, Specialist Orthopedic Groups, Mater Clinic, Suite 1.08, Level 1, 39 Gillies St, North Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia
Our institute receives research funding from Depuy (Johnson and Johnson) and Stryker.