Hip disease and hip arthroplasty

Abstract

There has been a significant increase in the prevalence of obesity in the United States over the last 20 years, with the highest percentage in Mississippi. The percentage of obese patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) appears to be increasing at an even faster rate. Orthopedic surgeons performing hip arthroplasty need to be aware of potential issues to minimize complications associated with this population. This article outlines preoperative and postoperative care and describes current techniques and tools used by surgeons in obese patients to facilitate soft tissue dissection, exposure, implant placement, and closure.