WHY ARE YOUNGER PATIENTS OPTING FOR KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY?

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA), otherwise known as knee replacement surgery, is usually associated with older individuals in need of new knees due to a lifetime of wear and tear. While that remains true for a majority of TKA patients, the number of patients undergoing knee replacement surgery that are under the age of 65 has steadily risen since 1999. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons reported in April of 2012 that “in 1999 about 30 percent of TKA patients were younger than age 65”, but “in 2008, patients younger than age 65 accounted for 41 percent of all TKAs.”

Knee replacement is typically used to treat osteoarthritis or a breakdown in a joint’s cartilage and has become increasingly effective over the years, which is good for patients that experience pain and injury. However, it’s important to note that artificial knees are expected to last only 15 to 20 years. While that lifespan may be fine for older patients, it can be very problematic for the younger patients that fall into the above 41% category. Eric S. Millstein, MD, is an expert orthopedic surgeon with years of experience working with individuals who opt for knee replacement surgery. If you have questions about knee replacement or another orthopedic concern, don’t hesitate to contact us for a consultation.

Why Do Younger Patients Want Knee Replacement Surgery?

It’s always difficult to know exactly why these kinds of statistics rise and fall. Most likely, the increase in younger patients undergoing knee replacement is due to more active lifestyles. The advent of adult sports leagues, coupled with an overall emphasis on exercise, collectively add stress to joints like the knees and increase the likelihood of injury. It also makes sense that these active individuals would undergo procedures that ensure their ability to maintain their active ways of life.

The ease with which these procedures are performed should also be factored in because surgeons and patients are now more likely to opt for the surgical route. When this procedure was first created, recovery required a weeklong stay in the hospital, whereas patients can now return home in just a few days.

Knee Surgery Replacement Success

Although knee surgery is a much easier procedure, it is still a major surgery and is a big life decision. All options should be taken into account before considering surgery. That said, surgery is an effective option if pain becomes too much to bear. Knee replacement surgery is a painful process, both immediately after the surgery and during rehabilitation. However, with proper care and hard work, a patient can return to his normal activities.

During the procedure, Dr. Millstein first removes the bone and cartilage that has been damaged and then replaces it with a metal and/or a plastic joint. This artificial joint is attached to all the surrounding bones including the shinbone and the kneecap with cement or special surgical adhesive. Once the surgery is complete, the muscles and ligaments around the artificial joint heal together and provide support.

Contact Dr. Millstein, Expert Orthopedic Surgeon in Beverly Hills

Dr. Millstein is an expert surgeon who specializes in diagnosing and treating knee injuries. He completed an Orthopedic Fellowship in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy at the Southern California Orthopedic Institute and is the recipient of numerous awards, including Castle Connolly’s Top Doctor award and the prestigious Patients’ Choice Award. If you or someone you love has suffered a knee injury, don’t hesitate to call Dr. Millstein at (310) 595-1030. Seeking immediate medical treatment is the best way to return to the active lifestyle you once enjoyed.