How long does a joint replacement last?

Joint replacement surgery represents one of the biggest and most life-changing advances in modern medicine. It has meant the difference between disability from crippling arthritis and nearly normal mobility for millions of people in recent decades. The hip and knee are, by far, the most commonly replaced joints, and they have the most reliable results. In the US each year, more than 300,000 hips and 700,000 knees are replaced, and the results are generally good. But every time a joint is replaced, an important question looms: how long will it last? It’s a fair question. After all, no one wants to go through the risk, discomfort, and recovery time required for a major operation only to need it again in a short time. The usual estimate: 10 to 15 years When I was in medical school, the commonly quoted estimate was that a replaced knee or hip should last about 10 to 15 years, but hopefully much longer. That was an average, of course. Rare complications requiring re-operation can occur soon after surgery; for others, a replaced joint can last two decades or more. And since it takes many years to know whether improved surgical techniques and materials have led to longer joint life, it’s hard to know at any given time how long a replaced joint might last. Why is this so important? Estimates of joint replacement longevity are helpful to the person who is uncertain about whether joint replacement is worth pursuing. But in addition to whether to have surgery, these numbers can help...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Bones and joints Health Surgery Source Type: blogs