👉 “Am I too old for knee replacement?”
👉 “Am I too young for knee replacement surgery?”
👉 “What is the best age for knee surgery?”
If you have any of these questions in mind, this blog is for you. Knee replacement surgery or knee arthroplasty is fast becoming an increasingly common, safe, and successful procedure to restore mobility and independence in knee patients.
However, among the many questions and queries you might have before making a final decision, one is information about the right age for knee replacement. So, just read along.
How Does Age Influence Knee Replacement?
Going by the traditional norms, knee replacement surgery was seen as a viable option for retired people – typically aged around 60. It was a means for getting freedom from knee issues and regaining mobility.
And why did people think so? Artificial knee implants have a lifespan of around 20 years. That could mean another knee surgery (revision knee replacement) later in life – if you got your knees replaced at a younger age.
On the other hand, older patients (in their seventies or eighties) hesitated because of their co-morbidities like diabetes and heart problems. They feared being turned away by doctors. Some worried if they would be able to recover at all.
However, advancements in surgical technology and quality of implants have revolutionised the field of knee replacement surgeries.
Younger Patients and Knee Replacement Surgery
With the changing lifestyles and dietary habits, people in their middle age (40s & 50s) also tend to develop knee issues. Since these people are still in the prime of their lives (working, raising children), they have started opting for knee surgery.
The predominant reason behind this shift?
Firstly, they want to lead an active lifestyle. Secondly, these days, high quality implants are available that last longer and may continue to function well – even after 20 years.
How do they benefit from knee replacement surgery?
Freedom from knee pain, ability to perform better at work and home, mental peace, and return to an active and healthier life.
Older Patients and Considerations for Surgery
With advancing age, knee pain tends to set in due to various reasons. Arthritis is generally the most common factor. As the condition advances, the elderly may get confined indoors and eventually to bed, unable to perform even routine tasks. The situation calls for knee replacement.
The predominant reason behind this shift?
The integration of robotics into orthopaedics has paved the way for – robotic knee replacement. At leading super-speciality hospitals like Sohana Hospital in Mohali, Punjab, world-renowned knee replacement surgeons utilise the cutting-edge robotic technology along with personalised rehabilitation – to deliver highly successful results even in elderly patients. This means age is no longer a constraint!
How do they benefit from knee replacement surgery?
Freedom from knee pain, ability to perform normal activities, quality time with their grandchildren, actively participating in celebrations instead of just watching from a chair, inner contentment, and most of all – independence.
Which Factors Influence the Timing of Surgery?
Visual Representation: Factors that influence the timing of surgery
Severity of Symptoms
Persistent knee pain, inflammation, swelling, instability, or any other problems in knees that make it hard to walk, climb stairs, and perform normal activities – irrespective of age.
Lifestyle and Activity Level
Active individuals may get their knees operated earlier to get back their lifestyle. However, a lot of people continue to wait till pain becomes unbearable. It is important to mention here that delaying knee surgery when it is recommended may lead to severe complications in the future – no matter what your age.
Bone Quality and Joint Condition
If the knee joint is severely damaged or the bones surrounding it are in a poor condition, the patient may require knee replacement earlier. For example, patients with knock knees or other deformities should opt for knee procedure without further delay, regardless of age.
Overall Health
Systemic health conditions, such as sugar and heart diseases, may play a role in deciding when to get a knee replacement. It is common to see such patients being turned away by surgeons on grounds of co-morbidities.
However, not to lose hope. For diabetic and hypertensive patients, the key lies in visiting the right knee surgeon. Sohana Hospital, Punjab, frequently receives diabetic and BP patients in their seventies and eighties – who want to get their knees replaced.
Best knee doctors in Chandigarh, cutting-edge robotic technology, collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams, infection-free 7-star OTs, perfect hygiene and post-op care, excellent rehab – all come together at Sohana Hospital to ensure successful outcomes.
Is There a Limit to Age for Knee Replacement?
The short answer is no. Getting knee replacement surgery is a highly personalised decision that you make after considering several factors. Some of these factors are intensity of symptoms, overall health, and personal goals and aspirations.
👉 It is essentially about weighing pros and cons. The right time for knee surgery is when the advantages exceed the risks, and you are mentally and physically ready.
Given that today we have robotic knee replacement – a minimally invasive and virtually painless procedure that minimises complication-risk while ensuring unmatched precision, no matter what your age – you can comfortably opt for surgery and recover fast to get back to doing what you love.
Conclusion
When it is about knee replacement surgery, it is more about symptoms, your overall health, and the kind of life you want to live – than your age. There have been cases of young patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis choosing knee replacement surgery to get back to living a normal life.
Likewise, there have been elderly patients opting for knee surgery to regain mobility and self-reliance. The primary factor is quality of life.
Just check the reputation and experience of your knee surgeon, the infrastructure of the hospital, the technology they use, if the hospital is a multi-super speciality hospital with multidisciplinary teams ready to handle any emergency, patient reviews, etc. before you make up your mind to get the life-changing knee replacement surgery.
At Sohana Hospital, the orthopaedic team functions under the world-renowned knee surgeon, Dr. Gagandeep Singh Sachdeva. With more than 20 years of experience and over 30,000 successful knee surgeries to his credit, he has been instrumental in restoring mobility in people of diverse ages and backgrounds.
Be it a first time knee surgery or a complicated revision surgery, patients from different parts of the country and the world trust Sohana Hospital for their knees. Remember, the aim of knee replacement is to reduce pain and restore movement, so that you can live your life to the fullest.
When it comes to robotic knee replacement, age is just a number!