Total knee replacements can be life changing. With joint implants, your quality of life transforms drastically, and you are no longer in pain trying to complete normal daily activities. For younger patients who are in need of joint replacements, they are able to return to their vigorous athletic lifestyles with little to no joint pain. Most patients who need total knee replacement surgery have osteoarthritis, however there are still patients who have endured injuries and require the surgery.
Total knee replacements can last for decades, typically about 20 years. Sometimes, depending on the patient and the implant itself, replacements can last a little longer than 20 years. However, if you have a partial knee replacement, it is likely your joint will need to be replaced within 10 years, meaning you will need to undergo a repeat operation, also called revision surgery.
Total knee replacements add to the quality of life, allowing patients to be more active and participate in physical activities they would not have been able to participate in without the total knee replacement. But, of course, like all things, the joint and its function will diminish over time. As you continue to age after your initial total knee replacement surgery, your activity level will decrease, and you will be moving more slowly when walking, biking, or swimming. It is at the 20-year mark that his usually occurs, which means it may be time to get revision surgery.
Over the past several years, studies have shown that there has been a massive increase in patients who require knee implants earlier in life, specifically people as young as in their 50s instead of in their 60s. It is also important to note that when you are much older, and you receive a total knee replacement, you can live the rest of your life with your first implants and not require another surgery. Essentially, most people pass away with their implants, because a lot of people receive the implants much later in life, and the implants can last for decades.
With the innovative and customizable implants on the market now, it is possible that knee replacement implants will last even longer than 20 years, as they are much more closely designed to fit the individual patient’s natural and unique anatomy than in the past. In the past, they were expected to only last between 10 and 15 years, but they were rudimentary, limited, and uncomfortable.
People with modern knee replacements, however, should feel more optimistic because their custom implants are more flexible and can withstand more pressure and activity than the knee implants of years past.
It is essential to consult your physician before choosing to undergo joint revision surgery. Every patient reacts differently to implants, and one implant may wear out faster than another implant, depending on the patient’s health and activity. To maintain your implant’s strength, try not to engage in vigorous physical activities because this can cause the implant to deteriorate much faster, making it more likely for you to have to undergo another replacement surgery to repair or revise the initial implant.
For more information or advice on whether or not knee replacement surgery is right for you, contact Empire Surgical Solutions in New York today. We’re happy to discuss your situation or put you in touch with a certified knee surgeon in New York.