Getting a hip or knee replacement isn’t the big deal that it was 20 years ago, says Paul Lux, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital.
“We’re more active now,” Dr. Lux says. “People nowadays are unwilling to accept a sedentary lifestyle and the technology is there for minimally invasive joint replacement surgery.”
About 5 percent of people in the U.S. over age 50 have had hip or knee replacements. These are the most common joint replacements because hips and knees are weight-bearing joints. About 25 years ago, it was people in their 70s who were having this procedure. Today, the average age is a much younger age 55, thanks to the desire of baby boomers to stay active.
But when do you know if your hip, knee or shoulder needs replacing?
“The pain just doesn’t come on in two weeks and you decide you need this,” Dr. Lux says. But when over-the-counter remedies, such as Aleve, prescription Celebrex or cortisone shots fail to provide lasting comfort, it could be time to visit an orthopedic surgeon to see what can be done to eliminate your pain and improve your mobility.
It takes about 45 minutes to replace a knee joint and the physical therapy can take from two to three months, depending on the health of the patient, Dr. Lux says. If you weigh more than 300 pounds, the risk of surgery complications go up. And the fitter you are before any joint replacement surgery, the better your recovery time. STAR, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Center, a part of Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, is a center of excellence where clients receive one-on-one instruction from licensed, experienced physical therapists and licensed massage therapists. STAR can help patients recover after surgery, restore function after injury, or simply achieve a personal best in their level of fitness.
Dr. Lux performs more than 100 hip replacement surgeries each year. In this minimally invasive procedure, the ball or head of the femur is removed to allow for the replacement hip component. The socket or acetabulum is then shaped to accept the new socket. By removing the diseased bone and cartilage and replacing them with orthopedic implants, it allows the joint to move freely without pain.
As for knee replacements, Dr. Lux performs more than 400 surgeries annually. The entire knee is not replaced – only the damaged bone and cartilage at the end of the bones are removed and resurfaced. These components are designed to re-create the natural contours of the bones in a healthy knee. The metal and polyethylene implants let the bones glide against each other, like natural cartilage.
While every case is unique, it’s best to see your doctor or orthopedic surgeon for a full evaluation. To schedule an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon or another specialist, call 314.542.WEST (9378) or toll-free 844.542.9378 or request a call for an appointment.