With enhanced longevity, an increasing number of senior citizens have started choosing joint replacement surgery. While earlier, the elderly used to suffer in silence, it is no longer the case, thanks to the availability of modern surgical interventions.
However, a question that many may still have is – “How safe is modern surgery for those aged above 60?” This may especially be a cause for concern for those with comorbidities. In this blog, we are going to delve into the safety aspect of joint replacement surgery for the elderly.
Why Do The Elderly Choose Joint Replacement?
Severe Arthritis
Arthritis is a major reason for disability in senior citizens. Cartilage damage increases friction between bones. This results in sharp pain in the joints. Those struggling with advanced arthritis often prefer to get a joint replacement for long-term relief.
Loss of Movement
A severely damaged knee or hip joint restricts mobility. Walking, climbing stairs, and even standing may become challenging. Loss of movement means loss of independence. When you stop moving, muscles lose strength, the ability to balance suffers, and even self-care may become a task.
Chronic Joint Pain
As conditions affecting the joints advance, you may have pain all the time. Not only when you try to move, but also while sleeping and resting, joints hurt continuously. There is no respite at any time. This may affect your appetite, mood, sleep, etc. Joint replacement often proves effective.
Loss of Freedom and Poor Quality of Life
Constant dependence on others for routine activities like going to the washroom, bathing, and dressing up may adversely impact confidence and mental health. Many patients tend to lose interest in life as they plunge into depression and withdraw from social life. Once they get a joint replacement, they witness a revival of not only mobility but also independence, confidence, and zest for life.
Is Joint Replacement Safe After 60?
Advancements in the medical domain have made joint replacement for those aged 60+ safer than ever before. Not just people in their sixties but also those in their 70s and 80s are benefitting from modern innovations in joint surgery.
Expert joint replacement surgeons at Sohana Hospital pay close attention to a patient’s bone density, anaesthesia tolerance, and overall health, and accordingly develop tailored surgical plans for the best outcomes. Joint replacement is no longer limited to a specific age group.
1. Minimally Invasive Procedures
Today, we have minimally invasive surgeries that are done through tiny incisions – typically 3-4 inches as against 8-12 inches previously. This means less tissue trauma, lower complication risk, and less blood loss. It means quicker recovery, less pain, and negligible infection chances.
2. Robotic-Assisted Surgery
Many super-speciality hospitals like Sohana Hospital, Mohali, are utilising the cutting-edge robotic technology for joint replacement. Robotic surgery, with the help of advanced imaging, allows surgeons to perform virtual surgery before the actual surgery.
Surgeons get precise information regarding how much bone is to be cut, implant placement and alignment, etc. The real-time feedback feature of robotic surgery ensures trained surgeons carry out the surgery with ultimate accuracy so that patients recover faster and implants last longer.
3. Minimal Pain
Patients now experience much less pain as compared to a few years ago. These days, hospitals have modern anaesthesia techniques, nerve blocks, and exceptional pain management strategies. This aspect, coupled with minimally invasive robotic surgery, ensures pain is much less both during and after the surgery.
4. Faster Rehabilitation
Personalised physiotherapy allows patients to start moving the same day of surgery. Most patients at Sohana Hospital report considerable recovery within 30-45 days. Many even recover completely and start doing everything, including driving cars and two-wheelers, in just 2 months or even earlier.
5. Modular OTs and Other Safety Protocols
Hospitals adhere to stringent protocols to ensure that an elderly patient is eligible for surgery. Advanced diagnostic and imaging tests, coupled with close monitoring, ensure that the procedure is planned carefully. This minimises complications and boosts success rates.
6. Pre-Surgery Evaluation
A thorough assessment of the patient’s general health is done by doctors at Sohana Hospital. This typically includes:
- Blood tests
- Heart check-up
- Lung function tests
- Evaluation for medications
- Bone health assessment
A customised treatment plan is created ahead of surgery to ensure safety.
7. Safer Anaesthesia
Today’s expert anaesthesia specialists utilise gentle and highly controlled anaesthesia options. And they consistently monitor heart rate, oxygen levels, breathing, etc., to make the surgery safe even for the elderly in their 70s or 80s.
8. Advanced Implants
Modern implants are more robust, durable, and fit better. Also, robotic surgery further ensures their perfect placement and alignment. This allows aged adults to have easy movement while reducing the probability of any long-term complications.
Thanks to all these aspects, joint replacement has become a safe choice for senior citizens, especially when performed by experienced joint replacement surgeons.
Health Conditions That Influence Surgical Safety
While longevity has definitely increased, many elderly individuals have systemic conditions. However, it does not stop them from being eligible candidates for joint replacement. Doctors manage these conditions with expertise and skill. That is why we see an increasing number of elderly successfully undergoing joint surgeries and living an active life once again.
Be it cardiac (heart) issues, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, or weight-related issues, everything is evaluated well in advance, following which the right precautionary measures are taken. These assessments may include –
- Medicine adjustment
- Diabetes control
- BP control
- Constant monitoring
- Implant selection
- Supplements
- Nutrition
- Physiotherapy
Benefits of Joint Replacement for Senior Citizens
- Relief from chronic pain
- Better balance and stronger muscles
- Revived ability to walk, climb stairs, sit cross-legged
- Reduced risk of falls
- No more dependence on a stick, walker, or caregivers
- Better mental health
- Improved sleep
Why Choose Sohana Hospital for Joint Replacement Surgery?
The key to successful joint replacement in the elderly lies in expertise, experience, accuracy, pre-planning, constant monitoring, and compassionate care.
Dr. Gagandeep Singh Sachdeva, Chief Robotic Joint Replacement Surgeon and CEO, Sohana Hospital, is one of the best joint replacement surgeons in Punjab. He is famous for his experience and expertise in handling complex revision joint replacement cases, particularly in the elderly.
Sohana Hospital boasts all the modern diagnostics and advanced joint treatments, including robotic surgery for joint replacement. Apart from this, the hospital has world-class infrastructure with modular OTs and perfect hygiene that minimises the risk of infection. With round-the-clock availability of support staff, personalised physiotherapy, and home-like care, patients get back to their feet sooner than they expect.
“At Sohana Hospital, you don’t just get joint replacement surgery – you get a new lease on life.”
Conclusion
Joint replacement surgery in senior citizens aged above 60 is far safer today than ever before. Robotic technology, expert joint surgeons, premium implants, improved anaesthesia, and tailored rehabilitation programs make the procedure highly safe and effective for the elderly. Joint replacement under expert care at a trusted hospital enables older adults to walk with ease, regain freedom, sleep better, and enjoy an active and fulfilling lifestyle.
Concerned about your elderly parents? Get in touch with a trusted orthopaedic surgeon early. Timely treatment can save them from disability and maintain their health in the long term.
If you or a loved one is dealing with joint struggles and considering surgery, consult Dr. Gagandeep Singh Sachdeva, a beacon of hope, trust, and excellence in joint replacement.
Book a consultation with Dr. Gagandeep Singh Sachdeva today, and take the first step towards an active and pain-free life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What activities can the elderly do after joint replacement?
During the rehabilitation period, they can go for slow walking and gentle physiotherapy exercises as advised by their physiotherapist. Post recovery, they can perform all routine activities, including household tasks, driving, going for long walks, sitting cross-legged (once cleared by doctor), playing golf, etc.
2. What to eat to speed up joint replacement recovery?
You should have more protein-rich foods, such as yoghurt, cheese, lentils, beans, eggs, and fish. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and adequate water intake also support recovery.
3. Will I need a caregiver after joint replacement?
At Sohana Hospital, we ensure that you start going to the washroom right on the first day itself after surgery. For the first 3-4 days you are in the hospital, we focus on making you independent.
This is done by way of personalised physiotherapy and proper care. Once discharged from the hospital, you can manage on your own, provided you have someone to cook for you.
4. How long do implants last in elderly patients?
Modern implants are generally quite durable (15-20 years or even more). They may actually last a lifetime. Just follow the right lifestyle and keep your weight in check.
5. Is there any age restriction for joint replacement surgery?
No. What matters is the patient’s overall health, bone fitness, and most importantly, the enthusiasm to get well and lead an active life again.
6. How long is knee replacement recovery for the elderly?
It varies from patient to patient. The majority of 60+ patients at Sohana Hospital have been seen to recover well in 30-45 days. Physiotherapy is very important in this context.
7. Can elderly patients with heart issues undergo joint replacement surgery?
Yes. At Sohana Hospital, patients with diverse health issues have successfully received joint replacement. Since the hospital is multi-speciality, the joint surgery team is assisted by cardiac and other teams to ensure safety during and after surgery. And not to forget, the pre-surgical assessments that allow surgeons to plan well.