How long does a knee replacement last?
Robert Zirschky, MD, is a surgeon at Salem Health Orthopedics who specializes in hip and knee replacements.
Dr. Zirschky said 90 percent of knee replacements he performs today will still be functioning in 20 years.
“The instrumentation got better, so we can replace it more accurately, and the quality of materials improved drastically around 2000,” he said.
The orthopedic surgeon said the failure rate for knee replacements is very low.
“When you’re talking to younger people, you want to emphasize that it is metal and plastic that will wear down over time,” said Dr. Zirschky. “For older people, once you hit 60 or 70, it’s unlikely that they’ll have the activity level and risk of a younger person. For all age groups, we encourage avoiding impact motions such as running and jumping.”
Partial vs full knee replacements
Dr. Zirschky said there are partial knee replacements that can replace a portion of the weight-bearing part of the knee. He recommends these for younger patients who are only facing challenges on one side of the knee.
“Those can wear out over time, but they tend to lead to an easier recovery and a more natural feel to the knee,” he said. “Full knee replacements don’t allow the body’s parts to wear out — you’re replacing the parts with metal and plastic.”
When to consider a knee replacement
The orthopedic surgeon said he views knee replacements like organ replacements.
“You do it when the risks of having the procedure are worth it. We can’t go back. The advantage is, it takes care of the pain when the bone is rubbing together,” said Dr. Zirschky. “It does improve quality of life and the ability to stand and walk.”
Dr. Zirschky recommends a knee replacement for when the pain is interrupting sleep, preventing exercise or if the knee is unpredictably giving out.
“We’re a center of excellence with highly trained surgeons and team members who can get you ready for surgery and optimize your outcome,” he said. “We have a variety of options available.”
Orthopedic care
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