Does obesity cause knee replacements? with Prof Chris Vertullo

Obesity is a major risk factor for developing knee osteoarthritis and subsequently undergoing total knee replacement (TKR). The rates of obesity have increased dramatically over the past decades and in many developed nations, about two third of adults are above a healthy weight. Although TKR is a cost-effective treatment for end-stage osteoarthritis, the rising rates of obesity are resulting in more knee replacements and being performed at a younger age. On this week’s episode of Joint Action, we are joined by Chris Vertullo to discuss the rising rates obesity, their relation to TKR and what we can do about it.

Professor Chris Vertullo has been a specialist orthopaedic knee surgeon since 2001. He is the Director and Treasurer of the Australian Orthopaedic Association, current Past President of the Australian Knee Society, Chair of AOA Continuing Orthopaedic Education and an Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is currently listed amongst the top 100 orthopaedic influencers in the world. He is involved in the treatment of elite athletes and professional sports teams as well as being a strong advocate for sports injury prevention at a national level. He has a strong focus on research into knee surgery - founding Knee Research Australia and holds a PhD in the area of improving the outcomes of knee replacement.

*Correction* In the podcast, we mentioned that about two thirds of people receiving a joint replacement are overweight or obese. This is incorrect, two thirds of Australian adults are overweight or obese. About 90% of people undergoing TKR are overweight or obese.

RESOURCES

Websites

• MyJointPain
• OARSI Joint Effort Initiative
• Arthritis Australia

Journal articles

• Obesity is associated with an increased risk of undergoing knee replacement in Australia
• Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Risk of Complications After Total Knee Arthroplasty

Related episodes

• Losing weight and osteoarthritis - why and how? with Dr Stephen Messier
• The role of bariatric surgery for people with osteoarthritis with Dr Jonathan Samuels

CONNECT WITH CHRIS

• Web: http://www.knee-surgeon.net.au/
• Twitter: @Knee_Surgeon

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