Knee Replacement in Young Patients

Total knee replacement surgery, once limited to older patients with severe arthritis, is now increasingly performed on younger, active individuals. Today, individuals in their 40s and 50s with severe knee arthritis that doesn’t get relieved by non-surgical treatments may be considered for this procedure. Despite its growing demand, there are apprehensions regarding the risks and outcomes when performing knee replacement on younger patients.

Why is How Come Knee Replacement on the Rise Among Younger Individuals?

In recent years, there has been an increase in early knee arthritis among individuals in their 40s and 50s due to lifestyle changes, lack of exercise, and poor dietary habits. Rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions can also contribute to early joint arthritis. Determining the ideal age for total knee replacement surgery is challenging, as there isn’t a specific turning point. However, it is known that in some younger patients, the benefits of surgery such as may outweigh the risks. These advantages include a better quality of life, reduced pain, and the ability to maintain or improve fitness, may outweigh the risks. Achieving these goals may also lead to a decreased risk of developing other health issues associated with poor fitness, such as cardiovascular disease.

Benefits of Knee Replacement Surgery in Young Patients

Knee replacement surgery in young patients provides various advantages, including:

• Reduced pain
• Better quality of life 
• Ability to maintain or improve fitness
• Reduced risk of developing other problems associated with poor fitness, such as cardiovascular disease 

Knee Replacement Surgery Success

Knee replacement surgery in patients aged 45 years or younger seems a promising procedure with a good success rate. 

A recently published study showed that in young patients with knee replacement, both cemented and cementless designs had excellent survivorship, with 97% survivorship at 25 years in the cementless group and 98% in the cemented group when evaluating for reoperation for any reason.

In What Conditions Knee Replacement Required in Young Patients?

Listed below are some reasons why you may require knee replacement:

• Bad arthritis: Most people who undergo knee replacement have osteoarthritis, the wear and tear type of arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition that causes joint pain and damage or post-injury arthritis. 
• Swollen knees: If the knees are consistently swollen despite the use of anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, and physical therapy, it suggests degeneration of the cartilage and or instability of the knee. This can make you a candidate for a total knee replacement.  
• Deformed knees: Knee replacement surgery is a safe and effective procedure to relieve pain, correct leg deformity, and help you resume normal activities. 
• Severe pain: The knee replacement surgery can help ease pain and make the knee work better. During surgery, damaged bone, and cartilage are replaced with parts made of metal and plastic. 

Risks and Complications

Like any surgical procedure, knee replacement also carries certain risks and complications, including, 

• Infections
• Ligament damage during or post-knee replacement surgery
• Allergic reaction to bone cement
• Nerve and artery damage around the affected knee joint
• Poor reaction to administered anesthesia during knee replacement surgery
• Excess scar tissue buildup
• Pain and stiffness in the knee joint post-surgery
• Chances of deep vein thrombosis 

What to Avoid After Knee Replacement?

After knee replacement surgery, you can engage in various low-impact activities, such as walking, swimming, golfing, or biking. But you must avoid higher impact activities such as,

• Football
• Basketball
• Hockey
• Soccer
• Gymnastics
• Jogging
• Singles tennis
• Squash
• Volleyball
• Rock climbing
• Racquetball
• Lacrosse

Knee replacement has traditionally been done in older people. Today, there is growing evidence that people below the age of 50 can also benefit from total knee replacement.

Knee replacement surgery in younger people does have some risks, more than 85% of patients under 50 who have knee replacement consider their results to be good. Most people who have had knee replacement, however, can resume an active lifestyle as long as they choose lower-impact activities.