Knee replacement in folks over 80: Less risky than you think

Medical Xpress / Maimonides Medical Center / American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ^ | Mar. 22, 2022 | Priscilla Varghese et al

[ConservativeMind]

Knee replacement surgery is increasingly common among people over 80 sidelined with knee pain, and the procedure isn't as hazardous for them as often assumed.

That's the main message from a new study of more than 1.7 million seniors who underwent knee replacement surgery.

Octogenarians do have longer hospital stays after knee replacement surgery and are also more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within 90 days than patients aged 65 to 79, but the two age groups tend to have similar risks for other complications, the study team found.

Varghese conducted the study at Maimonides Medical Center, in Brooklyn. "Knee replacement surgery carries a very low risk for people aged 80 and older, and they will likely have a substantial, if not complete, reduction of pain after surgery," Varghese said.

For the study, the researchers analyzed medical claims data on more than 1.7 million people aged 65 and older who got a new knee. The investigators compared complication rates among people aged 80 and older to those experienced by patients aged 65 to 79.

Rates of readmission and length of hospital stay were higher and longer among octogenarians, the results showed.

Both age groups had similar risks for medical complications (such as pneumonia and other infections) in the 90 days following their surgery.

But folks aged 80 and up had lower rates of implant-related complications—such as erosion, infection, implant failure and mechanical loosening—than their younger counterparts after two years.

This makes sense, she said: "The younger group of patients may be more active so they have a higher risk of wear and tear on the hardware."

Surgery isn't the only option for these older patients. Other treatments such as weight loss or steroid injections may help, but knee pain typically doesn't get better on its own, Varghese said.

[Does so]

“...my knees kill me...”

I waited and waited until I could scarely move. Post-op was painful, long, and PT difficult.

I wouldn’t wait.

[moovova]

This article, and the comments, will probably get me to face the inevitable sooner rather than later. I can walk a level surface just fine. Climbing stairs (or a ladder) is a different story.

[rapture-me]

I’m expecting mine within a month. Have initial visit next week. Left knee hurts all the time & can hardly walk. EXCITED!