When you think about knee replacement surgery, your mind probably pictures someone in their sixties or seventies getting their joint replaced. While this age group makes up a significant portion of our patient base, we’ve noticed that knee replacement is starting to become more of a young person’s game. Patients in their fifties, forties and even thirties are seeking out consultations for knee discomfort and seeing if joint replacement is a viable option.
Why are doctors performing more knee replacement operations on young patients? There’s a few reasons for this shift in demand, and we explore some of the contributing factors in today’s blog. Here’s a look at some of the reasons why we believe more young adults are looking into knee replacement.
Technological Advancements
Knee replacement technology is better than it has ever been. The surgery is safer, it can be performed on a minimally invasive basis and the hardware is lasting longer than ever. This means that even when pursued at a younger age, patients typically do not need to undergo a second procedure on their knee because the implant eventually failed. All of these technological advancements are leading patients to seek out knee replacement at an earlier age.
Obesity
As a whole, obesity rates across the US have risen steadily over the past few decades. Obesity takes its toll on all age groups, but as we get heavier, it stands to reason that younger adults are showing advanced stages of cartilage degeneration at an earlier age. Rising obesity rates are certainly playing a role in the increased number of knee replacement surgeries performed each year.
Shifting Attitudes
There seems to be a slight generational shift in how certain elective medical issues are handled. It seems that younger patients are more likely to be proactive in their quest to treat the issue, whereas older generations seemingly were ok to grit their teeth and power through mild to moderate discomfort. Not to paint each generation with a broad brush, but there does appear to be a shift in perspective on how certain health issues are cared for, and that is likely leading to an uptick in knee replacement surgeries among younger adults.
Desire To Maintain An Active Lifestyle
Nobody wants to let knee pain slow them down, but this is especially true for younger adults who tend to be more active than adults over the age of 70. If you want to continue playing recreational athletics or simply want to enjoy physical activities like hiking, biking or swimming, the best way to truly get over your pain may be with a joint replacement procedure. Younger patients who have no desire to slow down may find that knee replacement helps them achieve their goals.
Easier Recovery
Finally, while recovery from knee replacement surgery will never be a walk in the park, it should come as no surprise that it will be a little easier from a physical standpoint if you pursue the procedure in your forties compared to decades later. Younger, healthier patients can bounce back a little quicker from major surgeries than older adults with other health issues. Your body is better able to handle the physical demands of knee replacement surgery when you’re a bit younger, which may be driving more people to surgery.
Whatever your age, we want to find the right solution for you for your knee pain. Set up a consultation with Dr. Botero and let us chart the right course of care for you. For more information, or for help with a different knee issue, reach out to his office today at (865) 558-4444.
