Most doctors tell their patients that the success rate from ACL reconstructive surgery is between 90-95%.  But are the doctors talking about the same thing patients are talking about?  Often, not having a complication counts as a success for a doctor.

However, most patients are looking for something more.  Most want to get back to their preinjury level of athletics--maybe even a higher level of athletics.  But a recent study sheds some interesting light on prognosis from ACL surgery.

This study found that less than half of patients actually got back to their preinjury level of function.  Most doctors are surprised by this, and I suspect most patients are as well.  Certainly there are factors that can be controlled such as proper rehabilitation and precautions after surgery.  However, the best treatment is certainly to do everything possible to prevent injury to the ACL.

_{Sources: "Return-to-Sport Outcomes at 2 to 7 Years After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Surgery"}

Joint replacement surgery has been growing in numbers, and even more striking is the fact that more young patients are having joint replacement surgery.  Data from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons shows that the number of hip replacements increased 78% in the last decade.  In that same time, the percentage of patients under the age of sixty-five having a hip replaced has gone up from 27% of the patients to 40%.

Having a joint replacement at a young age causes concern because the possibility of requiring additional surgery increases.  Implants do not last forever, and the younger the patient, the more likely they may need additional surgery.

Related: Hip Replacement in Young Patients | Knee Replacement in Young Patients

_{Sources: "As joint replacements grow more popular, younger patients face repeat surgeries" The Washington Post. January 3, 2011.}

_{Image © Medical Multimedia Group}

Everyone wants, and expects, their surgery to go well. But we all understand that surgery has the potential for complications. Some complications are more difficult to control, but we know that an experienced surgeon is often less likely to have as many complications. But how do you know if you have found a surgeon with enough experience?

Everyone looks for an experienced electrician, an experienced tax adviser, but how do you know you know you have found an experienced surgeon?

Related: How To Choose A Surgeon | Find A Doctor

Exercise is important for people with arthritis and for people who have had a joint replacement. Keeping your weight down and your muscles strong can help to delay joint replacement and improve your surgical result from joint-replacement surgery. Learn different ways to exercise so that you are pain-free, despite your arthritis.

Related: Knee Arthritis | Hip Arthritis | Preparing For Joint Replacement

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