Once reserved for older patients withsevere arthritis,totalknee replacement surgeryis becoming more common in younger, active people.
There are concerns, however, about performing this procedure in such young patients.
It also discusses some of the risks of total knee replacement.
Peter Dazeley / Getty Images
How Young Is Too Young?
What we do know is that the benefits in some younger patients may outweigh the risks of surgery.
Implant manufacturers are working to reduce this problem, but it’s still a concern.
Healthcare providers usually only recommend specific activities for patients who have had total knee replacement.
Before you begin a new exercise program, talk to your healthcare provider.
Generally, surgeons consider anyone under the age of 50 to be young for knee replacement.
Still, patients under 50 are the fastest-growing group of people who have knee replacement surgery.
Studies show these surgeries work well.
More than 85% of patients under 50 who have knee replacement consider their results to be good.
The complication rate is also low.
More than 98% of the knee replacements placed in these patients were still functioning 10 years after surgery.
Risks of Surgery
As with any surgical procedure, knee replacement surgery has risks.
The primary concern in younger, more active patients is that the implant will wear out early.
Summary
Knee replacement has traditionally been done in older people.
A Word From Verywell
Knee replacement surgery is a major surgical procedure.
As such, it has some serious potential risks.
Knee replacement surgery can offer pain relief and improved function.
Younger patients are often happier and healthier after they’ve had this surgery.
Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg; 2014.
