Ethical considerations in shoulder arthroplasty in patients who are obese

Obesity and osteoarthritis are two of the most common conditions in the United States and often co-occur. Obese patients with osteoarthritis are at increased risk for complications when undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). The ethical consideration relevant to the decision to perform TSA in obese and morbidly obese patients who may benefit from surgery is not well understood. We performed an ethical analysis for patients undergoing TSA who are obese by analyzing the 4 core bioethical principles, beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice. To provide the most benefit to patients, counseling patients on weight loss before surgery should be attempted including bariatric surgery or weight loss medication in select patients. To respect the ethical principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence, the surgeon must carefully weigh the potential for debilitating progression of disease, pain, and the psychological toll of osteoarthritis against the concern that obese patients may have a higher risk of complications. Respecting patient autonomy requires a rigorous, standardized consent process, which is informed by an understanding of common cognitive biases that affect patient understanding and minimization of perverse incentives that make it more difficult for the surgeon to spend adequate time and resources counseling the patient. Improving incentives for hospitals and physician alike to treat patients with obesity and other comorbidities will provide most just care while minimizing long-term harmful effects to the patient, surgeon, and health-care system.