Obesity, orthopaedics, and outcomes.

Obesity, one of the most common health conditions, affects an ever-increasing percentage of orthopaedic patients. Obesity is also associated with other medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, metabolic syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea. These comorbidities require specific preoperative and postoperative measures to improve outcomes in this patient population. Patients who are obese are at risk for increased perioperative complications; however, orthopaedic procedures may still offer notable pain relief and improved quality of life. Copyright 2014 by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.