According to the CDC, an optimal body mass index for adults is no higher than 24.9. Patients with a BMI of over 30 are considered high-risk for the majority of orthopedic and spine procedures. Patients with a BMI of over 40 are often turned away by surgeons.
While some surgeons may be hesitant to operate on high BMI patients, some facilities have taken steps to reduce the risks so they can perform various musculoskeletal operations, from total knee arthroplasty to lumbar spine fusions, on these patients.
Learn what three practices are doing to best treat high BMI patients.
Published on September 17, 2024
