More Americans Getting Knees Replaced, And at Younger Ages
More Americans Getting Knees Replaced, And at Younger Ages
Procedure rate nearly doubled between 2000-2010, CDC statistics show
Why is the operation becoming more popular for both genders? According to Roth, aging boomers are demanding more mobility as they age.
"People want to remain active longer, well into their 8th and 9th decades of life, and painful joints are not conducive to remaining active," he said.
Joint replacements are getting better, too, he added.
"Technologically, the longevity of knee and hip implants has also improved, lasting sometimes up to 15 years or longer," Roth said. "While that still may necessitate revision surgery for those patients in the younger age groups, 45 to 64, it may not require two revision surgeries."
Also, "the surgeries are more sophisticated now," Roth said, "especially with the use of [surgical] navigational systems, as well as custom-made knee and hip replacements."
The bottom line, he said, is that "all of these factors have led to an increased utilization of joint replacements for those needing them at an earlier age and has put aside the mantra of 'waiting until you can't take it any longer.'"
Roth stressed that these procedures remain invasive and complex, are not without risk, and shouldn't be taken lightly. "Joint replacement surgery is still a major surgical procedure with significant risks, such as blood clots, infection and loss of motion," he said.
Dr. Eric Grossman is co-director of joint replacement surgery at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, N.Y. He agreed that the rise in joint replacement has largely been based on patient demand.
"Patients today are unyielding in their desire to continue to be active and maintain a physically vivacious life," Grossman said. "For patients with severe, debilitating arthritis, a total knee replacement can reliably achieve significant improvements in a patient's pain and functional level, including returning to walking, cycling, tennis, golf, and skiing among other activities."
And there's been one other improvement boosting uptake of the operation, he added.
"Hospital lengths of stay continue to decline as refinement of the rehabilitation is also improved," Grossman said. "Patients used to be hospitalized for weeks. In some cases today the surgery is being done on an ambulatory basis, but most commonly patients stay in the hospital for just one to three nights."
More People Getting Knees Replaced, at Younger Age
Procedure rate nearly doubled between 2000-2010, CDC statistics show
Why is the operation becoming more popular for both genders? According to Roth, aging boomers are demanding more mobility as they age.
"People want to remain active longer, well into their 8th and 9th decades of life, and painful joints are not conducive to remaining active," he said.
Joint replacements are getting better, too, he added.
"Technologically, the longevity of knee and hip implants has also improved, lasting sometimes up to 15 years or longer," Roth said. "While that still may necessitate revision surgery for those patients in the younger age groups, 45 to 64, it may not require two revision surgeries."
Also, "the surgeries are more sophisticated now," Roth said, "especially with the use of [surgical] navigational systems, as well as custom-made knee and hip replacements."
The bottom line, he said, is that "all of these factors have led to an increased utilization of joint replacements for those needing them at an earlier age and has put aside the mantra of 'waiting until you can't take it any longer.'"
Roth stressed that these procedures remain invasive and complex, are not without risk, and shouldn't be taken lightly. "Joint replacement surgery is still a major surgical procedure with significant risks, such as blood clots, infection and loss of motion," he said.
Dr. Eric Grossman is co-director of joint replacement surgery at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, N.Y. He agreed that the rise in joint replacement has largely been based on patient demand.
"Patients today are unyielding in their desire to continue to be active and maintain a physically vivacious life," Grossman said. "For patients with severe, debilitating arthritis, a total knee replacement can reliably achieve significant improvements in a patient's pain and functional level, including returning to walking, cycling, tennis, golf, and skiing among other activities."
And there's been one other improvement boosting uptake of the operation, he added.
"Hospital lengths of stay continue to decline as refinement of the rehabilitation is also improved," Grossman said. "Patients used to be hospitalized for weeks. In some cases today the surgery is being done on an ambulatory basis, but most commonly patients stay in the hospital for just one to three nights."
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