Approximately two in 100 Americans have total hip or knee replacements, according to research presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons annual meeting and presented by KTAR.
For Americans over 50 years of age, the figure for total knee replacements is even higher, at 5 percent.
Although the number of people who receive hip or knee replacements annually is well established — 400,00 hips and 600,000 knees — the number of people actually living with replaced joints has been an open question. To create the estimate, researchers searched federal databases.
Numbers also showed that among those ages 45 to 64, knee replacement has tripled in the last decade. Almost half of hip replacements are in patients under 65 years of age.
Estimating the number of people living with joint replacements is important because of the lifespan of the artificial parts and questions of replacing the artificial joints as they wear out, according to the report.
For Americans over 50 years of age, the figure for total knee replacements is even higher, at 5 percent.
Although the number of people who receive hip or knee replacements annually is well established — 400,00 hips and 600,000 knees — the number of people actually living with replaced joints has been an open question. To create the estimate, researchers searched federal databases.
Numbers also showed that among those ages 45 to 64, knee replacement has tripled in the last decade. Almost half of hip replacements are in patients under 65 years of age.
Estimating the number of people living with joint replacements is important because of the lifespan of the artificial parts and questions of replacing the artificial joints as they wear out, according to the report.