Total joint replacement surgery is one of the biggest leaps in modern medicine. Thanks to the incredible advances in surgical technology and techniques, it has become one of the most popular and consistently successful surgeries performed in the field of orthopedics.
Millions of people who have suffered from debilitating arthritis in the hip, knee, and other joints can now enjoy living a normal, pain-free life after getting a prosthetic internal joint. But you may be wondering how long your new joint might last.
Let’s take a look at some of the statistics of patients who have had a total joint replacement, and where you can go for an evaluation and treatment for your joint pain.
How Long Can a Knee or Hip Replacement Last?
Based on studies of patients’ experiences with prosthetic joints, approximately 90% of total knee replacements remained in excellent condition up to 15 years later. Even better, a slightly higher percentage of patients with total hip replacements reported similar success.
In February 2017, the medical journal Lancet reported that knee and hip replacements in a certain study were still functioning well in approximately 90% of patients 20 years after the surgery.
Two years later, the same journal reported that approximately 60% of 200,000 total hip replacements lasted 25 years, 70% lasted 20 years, and about 90% lasted 15 years. Results were even more remarkable for total knee replacements: 82% lasted 25 years, 90% lasted 20 years, and 93% lasted 15 years.
Factors that Can Affect Joint Implant Longevity
How long your prosthetic joint will last is dependent on a number of things. The following are a few of the main factors that tend to influence the longevity of joint replacements:
Age
Since younger patients tend to be more active, and since they will naturally live longer, they are more likely to put more stress on their prosthetic joint – and they will most likely need to have revision surgery later. While patients over the age of 50 may require a longer rehabilitation period after their total joint replacement surgery, they are much less likely to ever need revision surgery in their lifetime.
Lifestyle
There are certain types of activities that can put excessive strain on the joints, causing the prosthetic materials to wear out rather quickly. Most orthopedic doctors advise their patients to take precautions when using their knee or hip for about 90 days following the surgery.
Weight
The more a person weighs, the more strain that is placed on their joint. Maintaining healthy body weight is, therefore, very important for making a joint implant last.
Total Joint Replacement Surgery in Watertown, NY
Do you hope that a total joint replacement will give you back the pain-free life that you’ve been longing to have? Schedule a consultation with one of our outstanding board-certified orthopedic surgeons here at North Country Orthopaedic Group for an evaluation of your joint pain.
We provide our patients with exceptional care for a full spectrum of orthopedic conditions and injuries. You can trust us to give you a recommendation that is appropriate to your situation and your needs.
To schedule an appointment, call us today at (315) 782-1650 or fill out our convenient online appointment request form now. We look forward to helping you finally find relief from your joint pain!
