Significantly, most of those treated with non-surgical therapies were satisfied with their progress. Although all were eligible to have knee replacement later, two-thirds chose not to do it. Tia Floyd Williams suffered from painful arthritis for 15 years before having a knee replaced in September Although the procedure seemed to go smoothly, her pain returned after about four months, spreading to her hips and lower back.
She was told she needed a second, more extensive surgery to put a rod in her lower leg, said Williams, 52, of Nashville. Other patients, such as Ellen Stutts, are happy with their results.
Stutts, in Durham, N. Doctors and economists are increasingly concerned about inappropriate joint surgery of all types, not just knees.
Those costs are projected to surge as the nation ages and grapples with the effects of the obesity epidemic, and an aging population. In , Group Health introduced decision aids for patients considering joint replacement for hips and knees. Executives at the health plan have been especially concerned about the big increase in younger patients undergoing knee replacement surgery, said Henry Garlich, director of health care value solutions and enhanced clinical programs.
The percentage of knee replacements performed on people 45 to 64 increased from 30 percent in to 40 percent in , according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Because the devices can wear out in as little as a few years, a younger person could outlive their knees and require a replacement, Garlich said. Danette Lake once planned to undergo knee replacement surgery on her other knee.
She is afraid of being disappointed by a second surgery. By Liz Szabo December 25, You must credit us as the original publisher, with a hyperlink to our khn.
Please preserve the hyperlinks in the story. Have questions? There is good reason to suspect that implants made from this material will last longer than plastics that were previously used, but only time can tell. Surgeons also have new tools that they think could improve the longevity of a joint replacement surgery, such as robotic surgery. Piuzzi reiterates. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Related Articles.
Joint Preservation vs. However, many people prefer to be at home. In addition, rehabilitation centers are associated with an increase in infection risk. Prolonged anesthesia time Replacing two knees requires more surgical time than replacing one knee, and that means the patient must spend more time under general anesthesia. Increasing the length of time under anesthesia increases the risk of complications. No good leg to stand on A person who has had both knees replaced does not have a good leg to stand on, making recovery and rehabilitation more complicated.
The person cannot rely on a stable leg to steady the body while standing, sitting, and using a walker or crutches. Because of the increased risk of complications, many surgeons will perform bilateral knee replacement only if patients are in good physical condition. How to Prepare for Total Knee Replacement. Questions to Ask Before Knee Replacement. You are here Surgery Knee Surgery. By Christopher Pomeroy, MD. Peer Reviewed. Patient reported outcomes in three hundred and twenty eight bilateral total knee replacement cases simultaneous versus staged arthroplasty using the Oxford Knee Score.
Int Orthop. Knee awareness and functionality after simultaneous bilateral vs unilateral total knee arthroplasty. World J Orthop.
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