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Knee replacement surgery, also called knee arthroplasty, is a procedure that will replace a damaged knee joint with a prosthetic one. The prosthesis could be made either of plastic or metal. 

There are two types of knee replacement, and you could undergo a total knee replacement or a partial knee replacement. With total knee replacement, your surgeon will replace your entire knee joint, while a partial knee replacement will only replace the damaged areas of your knee and is a common procedure for those who have injured their knees. 

Your doctor will recommend knee replacement surgery if you’re suffering from severe symptoms of swelling, stiffness, joint pain, and limited mobility that doesn’t improve even after non-surgical treatments. A knee recovery machine or in person physical therapy is usually suggested as well, post knee replacement surgery.

Those symptoms are common for people with arthritis, either rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. In rare cases, your physician might suggest the procedure if you’re experiencing post-traumatic arthritis after a fall, car accident, or sports injury. 

Knee Replace Surgery Statistics

Knee replacement surgery is a fairly common operation in the United States. Surgeons typically perform around 800,000 procedures annually. The exact figure varies, depending on the source. For instance, the Cleveland Clinic pegs the number at more than 850,000 operations, while the American College of Rheumatology has a lower estimate at about 790,000 surgeries. 

In any case, there seems to be a consensus that this statistic will only continue to grow in the future. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) , total knee replacement surgeries are only expected to increase by 675% to 3.5 million procedures yearly by 2030.

A major contributor to this anticipated rise in knee replacement operations is the aging of the county’s population. The current statistics say that nearly 50% or one out of two adults will develop osteoarthritis in at least one knee in their lifetime, and 80% of these will experience some degree of movement limitation. Bottom line: They will likely look into getting knee replacement surgery to alleviate their pain and other symptoms.

How Long is the Recovery Period for Knee Replacement Surgery?

After the surgery, you’ll gradually heal from the operation and slowly be able to resume your usual activities. It can take up to a year for you to fully recover from a knee replacement surgery.

After the recovery period, you should be able to experience pain relief and enjoy improved mobility. You should also be able to engage in various low-impact activities, such as walking, biking, golfing, and swimming. 

With the expectation that your knee replacements will last for over a decade or more, your quality of life should definitely improve—even with the prospect of avoiding high-impact activities, such as jogging and sports. 

How Long Will Knee Replacements Last?

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), “Currently, more than 90% of modern total knee replacements are still functioning well 15 years after the surgery.” Add five more years and around 85% of knee replacements are still intact. One research even suggests that 82% of knee replacements still function even after 25 years. 

So, typically, a knee replacement will last you about two decades or more. With most patients receiving the surgery at ages 60 to 80, knee replacement could last them their lifetime. 

However, the same could not be said for those patients who had their knee replacement surgery done earlier in life. 

Regarding revision surgery

The AAOS studied more than 2 million knee replacement patients, and the results were presented at the 2014 AAOS meeting. The study found that there was a 188% increase in knee replacements for 45- to 64-year-olds, while there was only 89% increase in patients aged 65 to 84 years. 

But, while knee replacement procedures rose for younger patients, so did the number of revisions on them. The same research found that there was a 133% increase in revision surgeries during the study period, especially among younger patients.

A separate study found that 35% of males and 20% of females aged 50 to 59 years old may require revision surgery, 15% for those 60 to 69 years old, and only 4.4% to 7.1% for patients more than 70 years old. 

“It appears that revision rates are growing in a younger age group, but the value is to focus on understanding why these patients are at increased risk,” William Robb, MD, director of the Illinois Bone and Joint Institute, a Chicago-area orthopedic practice, tells the Arthritis Foundation.

A revision surgery is often necessary when the joints become infected, when the implant loosens, or when the prosthetic knee is unstable. In rare instances, a revision surgery might also be recommended for those with osteolysis or in the case of bone fractures around the implant. 

What’s the Best Age for Knee Replacement?

According to this study, it’s best time to undergo knee replacement surgery is when you are between 70 and 80 years old. The reason: You’re less likely to have revision surgery. 

If you’re still young, try non-surgical treatments first. These include over-the-counter pain relievers and corticosteroid injections. Losing weight might also help relieve the pressure from your joints. Exhaust these options before considering knee replacement.

Do Knee Replacements Ever Fail?

Yes, they do … sometimes. Every year, 0.5 to 1% of total knee replacements fail, according to the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons

Even if these procedures don’t fail, a few people regret getting one. More than 6% of knee replacement patients report not being satisfied with the result of their operation. On the flip side, those with the highest satisfaction rates underwent robotic knee replacement. 

What are the Risks of Knee Replacement Surgery?

If your knee replacement surgery is a success, you’ll be enjoying life with less pain and better mobility. However, 20% or 2 out of 10 people develop a severe complication or several after the operation. These include: 

  • Infection at the surgery site or inside your knee
  • Bleeding and/or blood clots 
  • Blood vessel problems
  • Stiffness and/or reduced mobility
  • Nerve issues
  • Knee pain
  • Deep vein thromboses (DVTs)
  • Osteolysis (destruction of bone)
  • Fracture 
  • Scar tissue inside your knee

To avoid complications after the surgery, make sure to inform your surgeon about your health history prior to getting the procedure. 

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