Obesity and osteoarthritis (OA) are two major global public health challenges, and their comorbidity has been steadily increasing in China, presenting new challenges in clinical diagnosis and treatment. Obesity combined with OA differs from other OA subtypes in terms of diagnosis, assessment, and treatment, requiring an integrated approach to weight management and joint protection. In response, the Obesity Research Branch of the Biophysical Society of China, in collaboration with multidisciplinary experts, developed this expert consensus based on a systematic review of recent evidence from evidence-based medicine, employing the Delphi method. This consensus introduces the innovative “obesity-OA” dual-axis assessment concept and proposes a tiered treatment protocol for different obesity grades and OA stages, which includes conservative treatment, weight-loss medications, metabolic and bariatric surgery, and joint replacement surgery. The consensus also covers multidisciplinary evaluation, perioperative management, and postoperative follow-up, resulting in 6 core themes with 17 recommendations. The goal is to provide a scientific and systematic clinical practice guide for the standardized diagnosis and treatment of obesity combined with OA in China.
