TKA for the Young

TKA for the Young

Listen to our podcast episode about TKA for the Young from The Bee’s Knees Podcast below.

TKA for the Young

by Erin Remphter PTA

What image comes to mind when you hear of a person undergoing a total knee replacement? Someone sedentary? Someone in their “golden years?” Maybe a person using a cane or a walker due to pain, instability, and arthritis? We take a good look at knee replacement for a younger population here.

The New Face of Total Knee Replacement

What if I told you that image has changed drastically in the last decade? The amount of knee replacements for any age has skyrocketed, 120%, in the last ten years according to the Arthritis Foundation but even more interesting is that they report a 188% increase in people having replacements between the ages of 45 and 64 years of age. Comparatively, there is only an 89% increase in those ages 65-84 years old (1).

TKA for the Young: There are many good reasons impacting the need for younger people to have their knees replaced.

So now, a patient in their 50s may get a replacement and it will be sufficient throughout their lifetime, instead of anticipating at least 2 more replacements or revisions. The Arthritis Foundation even cites revisions as being a “pro” when debating whether to wait for a replacement because revisions are becoming easier. The implant can be switched out instead of removing more bone, like during the original surgery.

How do you decide if it is time for surgery?

Of course, an honest conversation with an orthopedic surgeon is important, as well as other health care providers. But the Arthritis Foundation offers a good set of pros and cons to consider on your own (3):

Pros (in favor of knee replacement):

You will have decreased (or no) pain!

There is a 90-95% success rate in younger patients

Revisions may be needed but don’t require removal of more bone in most cases

Stay active in what you enjoy

You are less likely to negatively effect your hip and back because of knee issues

Cons (in opposition to knee replacement):

Recovery requires time, money and a solid commitment

A younger replacement means more wear on the prosthesis which can lead to damage requiring a revision or another replacement

Surgery comes with risks

You may be able to return to most, but not all, of your favorite activities, with some limitations on high impact activities

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Sources:

1. https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/joint-surgery/types/knee/knee-replacement-younger-patients.php
2. https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/06/health/hip-knee-replacement-surgeries-earlier-study/index.html
3. https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/joint-surgery/candidates/waiting-surgery.php