Background: An increasing number of patients scheduled for total hip arthroplasty (THA) are obese and exhibit a different risk profile from that of patients of normal weight.
Objectives: To provide an overview of the impact of obesity on the outcome of primary THA.
Materials and methods: Literature review and discussion of own epidemiological data.
Results: Obese patients can expect as much functional improvement as non-obese patients after THA. However, peri- and postoperative complication (e.g., periprosthetic infection and dislocation) rates are reported to be increased in obese THA patients.
Conclusions: The knowledge of obesity-associated risks is the prerequiste for successful THA in obese patients.