Overview
Knee replacement is one of the most successful procedures across the world. It allows those with advanced knee issues to go back to living a pain-free, active life once again.
A question that a lot of individuals considering knee replacement surgery often have is – “How durable are the knee implants?”
Lately, knee implants have become quite long-lasting, thanks to the innovations in materials, design, and precise alignment. In this blog, we are going to discuss the life of modern knee implants, factors that influence their durability, and how to increase the longevity of your prosthetic knee joint.
Normal Life of Knee Implants
Studies and research conducted on patients who got knee implants reveal that:
- Modern knee implants have a life of around 15 to 20 years under normal conditions.
- Many implants may continue to function well for 25 years or even more. The right care and advanced surgical techniques make it possible.
- Older patients typically need a knee replacement only once. However, those who get their knees replaced at a younger age or have an active lifestyle may need a revision knee surgery later on.
The essence is that the lifespan of a knee implant hugely depends on the patient’s age, lifestyle, and how accurately the surgery was performed.
Which Factors Affect Implant Life?
1. Design and Material of Implant
Today, we have premium implants. They are made of advanced alloys, long-lasting plastics, and specialised coatings to check friction and wear-tear. These advancements make modern implants much more durable than the older ones.
2. Surgical Technique and Accuracy
An important factor in knee replacement surgery is the experience and skill of the knee surgeon. It is more so for traditional knee surgery, which was more about technique than technology.
However, today we have state-of-the-art robotic knee replacement in which sophisticated robots assist the surgeons with precise implant placement and alignment. The accurate alignment of the implant ensures even weight distribution on the implant. This helps reduce pressure and wear & tear.
At Sohana Hospital, we bring a blend of highly experienced surgeons and cutting-edge robotic knee replacement.
3. Age and Lifestyle of the Patient
Younger patients (middle-aged) may still be in their occupation, caring for the family, and participating in physically demanding activities. Their higher activity levels mean higher pressure on the knee implants. That is why they may need to get a revision knee replacement if their implants wear out.
Older patients (aged 60+), on the other hand, may engage in low-impact activities to stay fit and perform only routine activities that do not place much stress on the implants. They may not need to get another knee surgery in their lifetime.
4. Weight and Lifestyle
Obesity leads to earlier degeneration of your natural knees and speeds up osteoarthritis. Similarly, if you do not maintain a healthy weight after your knee replacement surgery, your artificial knee joint also wears out faster.
Your doctor will advise you to strive for a healthy weight and avoid high-impact activities, like running, jogging, jumping, etc., to prolong the life of your implants.
5. Post-Op Rehab
Why do doctors recommend dedicated physiotherapy to knee replacement patients? It helps strengthen the muscles around the knee. This is necessary to give better support to the new knee implant.
Patients who religiously follow rehabilitation programs often have better results. And yes, their implants also last longer.
How to Know Your Implant is Wearing Out? Warning Signs
Even if you get the best implants, they may still get damaged. Here are some red flags that help you know that your implant is wearing out or getting loose:
- Constant or aggravating knee pain
- Swelling that refuses to go
- Stiffness that does not get better
- Feeling of instability in the knees
- Unusual popping sounds
- Reduced movement compared to the previous recovery
Experiencing any of the above symptoms? Do not delay. Consult your knee surgeon at the earliest.
How to Enhance the Life of Your Knee Implant
Stick to Your Rehab Program
Regular physiotherapy helps strengthen muscles and improve movement, flexibility, and range of motion. It is also good for your artificial implant.
Exercise Weight Control
An ideal body weight means less stress on the implant.
Perform Low-Impact Activities
Choose walking, cycling, or swimming to stay physically active and maintain your fitness. It will also help you keep your weight under control.
Get Regular Check-ups
Visiting your knee surgeon for routine check-ups helps catch early signs of damage and avoid complications.
Avoid High-Impact Sports
Try not to engage in activities such as jumping, running, and playing football that put stress on your knee implant.
Dr. Gagandeep Singh Sachdeva
When it comes to the success of knee replacement surgery, it is very important to choose a trusted knee surgeon. The more experienced and skilled a surgeon is, the better the implant placement and alignment will be, and the longer the life of the implants.
Dr. Gagandeep Singh Sachdeva is an award-winning knee specialist, currently serving as the CEO and Chief Robotic Joint Replacement Surgeon at Sohana Hospital, Mohali. He brings 25 years of experience to the field and has performed upwards of 30,000 successful knee replacement surgeries.
He is one of the best knee doctors in Chandigarh, known for reviving mobility in even those patients who have been turned away by other doctors, for reasons like obesity, diabetes, blood pressure, etc. He is known to deliver the best results with conventional knee surgery as well as robotic knee replacement.
His expertise in precise surgical planning, patient-centric approach, and a special focus on dedicated physiotherapy ensure that patients regain movement faster and their knee implants last longer.
Conclusion
Modern knee implants are designed to last for years. A substantial number of patients have been seen to enjoy pain-free movement and an active life for 15-25 years.
However, there are other factors too that influence the life span of your knee implants. These factors include the implant design, weight, and lifestyle of the patient, and dedication to physiotherapy.
Choose an experienced orthopaedic surgeon like Dr. Gagandeep Singh Sachdeva in Mohali, and look forward to a highly successful surgery and long-lasting implants. Make a comeback to an active and enriching life.