High Body Mass Index and its Effect on Total Knee Replacement

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of disability and knee OA alone affects over 250 million people worldwide [1]. Joint arthroplasty for knee is one of the most common elective and cost effective surgical intervention for end stage lower-limb arthritis [1]. The National Joint Registry (NJR) indicates that by the year 2030 the demand for total knee replacement (TKR) will be nearly 3.5 million cases. The current cost burden to the National Health Service (NHS) is enormous and its estimated to rise in excess of £7000 per case [2]. This will have a huge bearing on the already cash crushed health care system.