by Per Kjaersgaard-Andersen, MD.
The recent literature and demographic studies show that orthopaedic surgeons worldwide can expect to see a steady increase in the number of patients who are obese. It is well documented that obesity, which is defined as the state of being severely overweight or having a body mass index of 30 or more, has a negative effect on patients. But much less information has been disseminated on the effect this health condition has on the regular practices of orthopaedic surgeons, nurses, operating room staff, hospitals, health systems and insurance companies. Unquestionably, orthopaedists will all face some significant clinical challenges in the future that center on the issue of the treatment of obese patients, regardless of our orthopaedic specialty areas. Therefore, we need to prepare now to deal with this situation.
Read the full article in the July/August 2013 issue of the EFORT OTE newsletter
