When age is being considered prior to an operation, oftentimes it’s in relation to whether or not the person is too old or too unhealthy to safely undergo the procedure. While that question comes up a fair amount in regards to joint replacement surgery, we also get questions from the opposite end of the spectrum from people wondering if they are too young for knee replacement surgery.
So how young is too young for knee replacement surgery, or can you have your knees replaced at any age? We take a closer look at some of the considerations that are made when determining if a person is too young for knee replacement.
Age And Knee Replacement
As we talked about in this blog, there is no perfect age for knee replacement. Age isn’t the most important factor when determining a person’s eligibility. Instead, we look at their overall health and their likelihood of achieving a positive outcome through either conservative or operative measures. These same factors play into whether or not someone would be considered too young for knee replacement surgery, but there are some additional factors at play. Here’s what you and your knee surgeon will discuss if you’re wondering if you’re too young for knee replacement surgery:
- Conservative Treatment Success Likelihood – Surgery is a major undertaking, especially joint replacement, so if it can be avoided by attempting other potentially successful treatments, it will be. All patients will be asked to progress through weeks of physical therapy and other conservative methods before a surgeon will consider the possibility of surgery, and that’s especially true for younger patients. Odds are you’re going to have to see no progress through at least 6-8 weeks of conservative techniques before your surgeon will seriously broach the topic of joint replacement.
- Your Health – Younger individuals tend to be more healthy than older people, simply because their bodies have experienced less wear and tear and natural aging. And while that’s certainly not always the case, your knee surgeon will want to assess your overall health and may provide some recommendations before considering surgery.
- Weight Loss – One of the biggest factors driving knee replacement surgery at a younger age is obesity. If you can shed a few pounds, it will take a lot of force off your knees. Being overweight or obese also means your new knee will have to handle an extra amount of stress. Your surgeon may recommend weight loss to see if knee discomfort improves, or they may say that you’re not an ideal joint replacement candidate until you lose some weight so that your new knee isn’t overburdened.
- Artificial Joint Lifespan – Artificial joints are improving every day, and they are lasting longer than ever before. However, if you’re considering a knee replacement operation at 40, it’s conceivable that you’d want your artificial knee to last 50 years or more, so your doctor will take a closer look at the expected lifespan of the implant. Many implants are expected to last between 15-30 years, meaning that you may need to undergo another replacement operation down the road. If you’re younger, there’s also the possibility that you’ll remain more active than older individuals following the procedure, and while that’s great, it can also lead to faster wearing of the artificial implant. The lifespan of your artificial implant will be discussed alongside your age in order to determine if this is truly the right time for the procedure.
Knee replacement is highly effective at treating pain and functional issues in patients with arthritis and other issues, even in younger populations. Studies have shown that more than 85 percent of patients under the age of 50 who underwent a total knee replacement procedure were satisfied with the results, and more than 98 percent of the implants were still functioning in these younger patients 10 years after their initial operation.
If you’re experiencing knee pain and discomfort, know that you don’t need to wait until your 60 to undergo a knee replacement operation. Your surgeon will look at all the above factors and more when determining the best treatment plan for your knee discomfort. For more information, or to talk to a knee specialist about an issue you’re experiencing, reach out to Dr. Botero’s office today at (865) 558-4444.
