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.
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