Increase in Rate of Knee Replacements
According to the CDC, the rate of knee replacement among those over age 65 increased eightfold between 1979 and 2002. This rate is expected to increase further, according to a 2006 study by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
The AAOS study predicts over 600 percent increase in knee replacements until 2030. The National Center for Health Statistics reported over 400,000 knee replacement surgeries during 2003 in the U.S. Over 65 percent of patients who had surgery were women.
The trend in knee replacement surgery changed with the advent of implants that can function effectively fifteen years following surgery. This allows patients the option of replacement sooner. In the past, surgeons were inclined to have patients hold off on replacement surgery in anticipation of complicated surgeries to remedy failing replacements.
March 15, 2007 Related topics: Trends, Orthopedic, Gerontology