title: The obese patient: a problem of larger consequence.
abstract: Obesity is a worldwide epidemic that has both economic and health implications of enormous consequence. The obese patients tend to have earlier symptoms related to osteoarthritis, more peri-operative medical problems, higher rates of infection and more technical difficulties intra-operatively following hip and knee arthroplasty. Nevertheless, these patients have good long-term clinical outcomes and implant survival rates and are often some of the most satisfied patients after joint arthroplasty. Therefore, obese patients should not be denied surgery based on their weight alone.
authors.affiliation: 200 1st Street Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, USA.
authors.forename: K I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.affiliation: London Health Sciences Centre, 339 Windermere Road, London, Ontario, N6G 2V4, Canada.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: MacDonald
mesh_terms: D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Obesity; arthroplasty; complications