Reassessing BMI-based access to joint replacement surgery

Jonathan P. Evans; Joanna McLaughlin; Jonathan T. Evans

doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1005003

Reassessing BMI-based access to joint replacement surgery

Jonathan P. Evans^*, Joanna McLaughlin, Jonathan T. Evans

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate (Academic Journal)

Abstract

Joint replacement surgery transforms lives for patients with higher body mass index (BMI). Strong evidence shows safe outcomes and meaningful benefit, yet access remains restricted by BMI alone, an approach that risks stigma, inequity, and avoidable harm.

Original language	English
Article number	e1005003
Number of pages	5
Journal	PLOS Medicine
Volume	23
Issue number	3
Early online date	24 Mar 2026
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1005003
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 24 Mar 2026

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© 2026 Evans et al.

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title = "Reassessing BMI-based access to joint replacement surgery",

abstract = "Joint replacement surgery transforms lives for patients with higher body mass index (BMI). Strong evidence shows safe outcomes and meaningful benefit, yet access remains restricted by BMI alone, an approach that risks stigma, inequity, and avoidable harm.",

author = "Evans, \{Jonathan P.\} and Joanna McLaughlin and Evans, \{Jonathan T.\}",

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AU - McLaughlin, Joanna

AU - Evans, Jonathan T.

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N2 - Joint replacement surgery transforms lives for patients with higher body mass index (BMI). Strong evidence shows safe outcomes and meaningful benefit, yet access remains restricted by BMI alone, an approach that risks stigma, inequity, and avoidable harm.

AB - Joint replacement surgery transforms lives for patients with higher body mass index (BMI). Strong evidence shows safe outcomes and meaningful benefit, yet access remains restricted by BMI alone, an approach that risks stigma, inequity, and avoidable harm.

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DO - 10.1371/journal.pmed.1005003

M3 - Comment/debate (Academic Journal)

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VL - 23

JO - PLOS Medicine

JF - PLOS Medicine

IS - 3

M1 - e1005003

ER -

Reassessing BMI-based access to joint replacement surgery

Abstract

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