Almost 800,000 knee replacements are performed in the U.S. every year, making it one of the most common elective surgical procedures.
While knee replacements have a high success rate and can be life changing for people with chronic knee pain, many avoid or delay surgery due to fear and misconceptions.
Dr. Mark Mackey, specialist-in-chief for orthopedics at Detroit Medical Center (DMC), addressed some common misconceptions about knee replacement.
1. True or False: Knee replacement should only be considered for seniors.
False. Knee replacement has no absolute age restriction. Recommendations for surgery are based on a patient’s pain and quality of life, not age.
“Most patients who undergo total knee replacement are age 50 to 80, with an average age of 68, but orthopedic surgeons evaluate patients individually,” Mackey said.
Total knee replacements have been performed successfully at all ages, from a young teenager with juvenile arthritis to an elderly patient with degenerative arthritis.
2. True or False: A knee replacement is only a short-term solution.
False. Thanks to advancements in implants and surgical techniques, studies show more than 90% of replacement knees are still functioning well after 15-20 years.
“However, the lifespan of your knee replacement depends on several factors, such as avoiding high impact activities like distance running, injuries and carrying extra weight,” Mackey said.
3. True or False: More women than men are in need of a knee replacement.
True. Around 60% of all knee replacements are done for women.
“One of the reasons is that osteoarthritis, which is the most common reason for needing a knee replacement, occurs in women at higher rates than men -- almost 3 ½ times as often,” Mackey said.
Osteoarthritis is the wearing away of joint cartilage and the underlying bone that usually occurs from middle age onward. It causes pain and stiffness, especially in knees and hips.
4. True or False: Some knee replacements are minimally invasive.
True. “The surgery has become far less invasive than in the past, as techniques and equipment have improved,” Mackey said. “Almost all patients are now considered candidates for this minimally invasive approach. In addition, the DMC was one of the first health systems in Michigan to preform minimally invasive, robot-assisted total and partial knee replacements, which may result in quicker recovery time, less pain and more accurate placement of the implant than traditional surgery. Your orthopedic surgeon will help guide you in making the best decision on what type of surgery is best for you.”
5. True or False: Knee replacement surgery requires several weeks of bed rest.
False. Within hours of surgery, a physical therapist will have the patient up and walking. They will make sure you will be safe at home before you are discharged, which may be possible on the day of surgery, in the right patient.
“Each person’s recovery is unique,” Mackey said. “Return to work, driving and daily activities varies quite a bit and has a lot to do with which knee is replaced, how strong the leg was before surgery, and what type of work you do. If you stay on your exercise and rehab schedule, most people notice a dramatic improvement in their flexibility and strength after one month.”
Is it time for a knee replacement?
The decision to proceed with surgery is a very personal one that patients should make in consultation with their surgeon. As with all procedures, both the risks and the benefits of surgery need to be considered.
According to Mackey, a good checklist that it may be time for surgery is:
- X-rays that show significant arthritis.
- You are healthy enough to have the surgery and work hard in your recovery.
- You are having difficulty that is not improving with non-surgical approaches like activity changes, exercise, weight loss, medication or injections.
- Most importantly, you’re experiencing a big decrease in your quality of life.
To help you explore all your surgical and non-surgical options for joint pain, make an appointment with a DMC orthopedic surgeon at www.dmc.org/services/orthopedics.