Immediate Complications Following Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: Does Race Matter?

Black race has been associated with a higher rate of complications following total joint arthroplasty, such as infection, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and death. We hypothesized that there would be no significant association between black race and adverse outcome when medical conditions were adjusted for. Data on 585,269 patients from the Nationwide Inpatient Samples were assessed by multivariable logistic regression analysis. Black race was significantly associated with postoperative complication and death. Comorbidities do not account for racial differences in adverse events. Black race was an independent predictive factor for increased complications and death following hip and knee arthroplasty.