Racial Disparities in Elective Total Joint Arthroplasty for Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is an effective elective surgical procedure for knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA), yet racial disparities in the use of and outcomes from TJA have been recognized. Racial minority individuals are less willing to undergo TJA, demonstrate worse surgical and functional outcomes, and are more likely to undergo surgery at a low‐procedure‐volume center. In this systematic review, we summarize evidence to date on racial disparities in TJA and discuss potential factors that may underlie this gap in care for patients with OA.